1.Study on the elements of medical service value from the perspective of cancer patients based on free-form comment text analysis
Xiao CHEN ; Yuhong ZHANG ; Chun YANG ; Pengfei HAN ; Jianyou CHEN ; Yuxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(2):139-145
Objective:To explore the focus points and emotional tendencies of cancer patients regarding medical services from their free-form comments, and to analyze the elements of perceived medical service value by patients.Methods:A tertiary general hospital in Shanghai invited patients to evaluate inpatient services through the assessment module of a patient satisfaction management platform, which included open-ended questions in the patient satisfaction survey. This study extracted free-form comment texts from cancer patients regarding medical services collected from September 2022 to August 2023 from this platform, forming a corpus of patient opinions. A hybrid method combining manual coding and natural language processing techniques was used to conduct sentiment analysis and topic modeling on the free-form comment texts. Descriptive analysis was performed on the comment themes and emotions, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between patient negative comments and patient satisfaction and loyalty.Results:A total of 10 446 comment texts provided by cancer patients were included. The most frequently targeted objects in the comments were nurses (2 223 cases), followed by doctors (1 125 cases) and nursing assistants (162 cases). The results of sentiment analysis showed that 7 058 patients made positive comments, 1 958 patients made negative comments, 1 114 patients made neutral comments, and 316 patients made mixed comments. The results of topic analysis showed that the five most frequently mentioned themes by cancer patients were humanistic care (1 327 times), information provision, communication, and education (589 times), diet (582 times), effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment (506 times), and medical staff responsibility (489 times). Logistic regression analysis showed that negative evaluations of humanistic care ( OR=0.306, P<0.001), professional technical level ( OR=0.425, P=0.010), information provision, communication, and education ( OR=0.475, P<0.001), and response to needs ( OR=0.412, P=0.026) were significantly associated with decreased patient satisfaction. Negative evaluations of humanistic care ( OR=0.407, P<0.001), professional technical level ( OR=0.466, P=0.009), and information provision, communication, and education ( OR=0.557, P<0.001) were significantly associated with decreased patient loyalty. Conclusions:Hospital managers should value the role of patient free-form comment texts in improving medical services and make full use of natural language processing techniques for information mining. In addition, the results of this study show that patient comments mainly involve the interpersonal and functional aspects of service, especially the interpersonal interactions, which are often the " critical moments" for patients to critically evaluate hospital services during their service experience.
2.Changes in S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/interleukin-1β pathway in kidney-aging rats induced by D-galactose
Dandan FENG ; Ying ZHOU ; Ziyao PANG ; Yueqin CAI ; Chu CHEN ; Jianyou ZHANG ; Dejun WANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(6):823-835
Objective To investigate changes in the pro-inflammatory mediator S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway in a rat kidney-aging model induced by D-galactose.Methods Twelve SD rats were divided into control and D-galactose groups,and injected subcutaneously in the back of the neck with D-galactose(150 mg/kg)to establish a rat model of kidney aging.Kidney samples were collected under anesthesia after 8 weeks.Kidneys were stained for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase(SA-β-Gal),mRNA expression levels of the aging-related genes p21,p16,and p53 were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine,and catalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the kidney tissues were detected.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by dihydroethdium staining and protein expression levels of collagen Ⅲ,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),Protein expression of S100A8/9 was detected by immunofluorescence,and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 levels in kidney tissues and key factors in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β inflammatory pathway were detected by Western Blot.A renal senescence model using HK-2 cells was constructed using H2O2 in vitro,and expression levels of the senescence proteins p21 and p16 and mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected.Cell senescence was observed by SA-β-Gal staining.The effects of the S100A8/9 inhibitor paquinimod on expression levels of S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway-related proteins in the aging model were also detected.Results mRNA levels of the aging genes p21,p16,and p53 in kidney tissues were significantly increased in rats in the D-galactose group compared with the control group(P<0.01),and SA-β-Gal staining showed a significant increase in senescent cells(P<0.01).Serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels increased(P<0.05),CAT,GSH-PX,and SOD activities decreased(P<0.01),while MDA activity increased in the D-galactose group(P<0.01).Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGFβ1 expression and the ROS content in tissues increased(P<0.05).Glomeruli were atrophied or absent in the D-galactose group,the lumens of the renal sacs and renal tubules were enlarged,the nuclei were deeply stained and constricted,and numerous collagen fibers were deposited.Levels of S100A8 and S100A9 protein(P<0.01),as well as NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β increased(P<0.05).Paquinimod alleviated HK-2 cell senescence and decreased expression levels of the senescence proteins p21 and p16,and mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors IL-18 and TNF-α(P<0.05,P<0.01).The number of senile cells was also decreased,shown by SA-β-Gal staining(P<0.01).Paquinimod also inhibited the protein expression of S100A8 and S100A9(P<0.01)and NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions S100A8/9 participates in the chronic inflammatory response by activating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway,thereby promoting D-galactose-induced renal aging.
3.Changes in S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/interleukin-1β pathway in kidney-aging rats induced by D-galactose
Dandan FENG ; Ying ZHOU ; Ziyao PANG ; Yueqin CAI ; Chu CHEN ; Jianyou ZHANG ; Dejun WANG
Acta Laboratorium Animalis Scientia Sinica 2025;33(6):823-835
Objective To investigate changes in the pro-inflammatory mediator S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway in a rat kidney-aging model induced by D-galactose.Methods Twelve SD rats were divided into control and D-galactose groups,and injected subcutaneously in the back of the neck with D-galactose(150 mg/kg)to establish a rat model of kidney aging.Kidney samples were collected under anesthesia after 8 weeks.Kidneys were stained for senescence-associated beta-galactosidase(SA-β-Gal),mRNA expression levels of the aging-related genes p21,p16,and p53 were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Serum urea nitrogen and creatinine,and catalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-PX),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the kidney tissues were detected.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by dihydroethdium staining and protein expression levels of collagen Ⅲ,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),Protein expression of S100A8/9 was detected by immunofluorescence,and transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1 levels in kidney tissues and key factors in the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β inflammatory pathway were detected by Western Blot.A renal senescence model using HK-2 cells was constructed using H2O2 in vitro,and expression levels of the senescence proteins p21 and p16 and mRNA expression levels of the inflammatory factors IL-18 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected.Cell senescence was observed by SA-β-Gal staining.The effects of the S100A8/9 inhibitor paquinimod on expression levels of S100A8/9 and NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway-related proteins in the aging model were also detected.Results mRNA levels of the aging genes p21,p16,and p53 in kidney tissues were significantly increased in rats in the D-galactose group compared with the control group(P<0.01),and SA-β-Gal staining showed a significant increase in senescent cells(P<0.01).Serum blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels increased(P<0.05),CAT,GSH-PX,and SOD activities decreased(P<0.01),while MDA activity increased in the D-galactose group(P<0.01).Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGFβ1 expression and the ROS content in tissues increased(P<0.05).Glomeruli were atrophied or absent in the D-galactose group,the lumens of the renal sacs and renal tubules were enlarged,the nuclei were deeply stained and constricted,and numerous collagen fibers were deposited.Levels of S100A8 and S100A9 protein(P<0.01),as well as NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β increased(P<0.05).Paquinimod alleviated HK-2 cell senescence and decreased expression levels of the senescence proteins p21 and p16,and mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors IL-18 and TNF-α(P<0.05,P<0.01).The number of senile cells was also decreased,shown by SA-β-Gal staining(P<0.01).Paquinimod also inhibited the protein expression of S100A8 and S100A9(P<0.01)and NLRP3,Caspase-1,and IL-1β(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions S100A8/9 participates in the chronic inflammatory response by activating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β pathway,thereby promoting D-galactose-induced renal aging.
4.Study on the elements of medical service value from the perspective of cancer patients based on free-form comment text analysis
Xiao CHEN ; Yuhong ZHANG ; Chun YANG ; Pengfei HAN ; Jianyou CHEN ; Yuxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2025;41(2):139-145
Objective:To explore the focus points and emotional tendencies of cancer patients regarding medical services from their free-form comments, and to analyze the elements of perceived medical service value by patients.Methods:A tertiary general hospital in Shanghai invited patients to evaluate inpatient services through the assessment module of a patient satisfaction management platform, which included open-ended questions in the patient satisfaction survey. This study extracted free-form comment texts from cancer patients regarding medical services collected from September 2022 to August 2023 from this platform, forming a corpus of patient opinions. A hybrid method combining manual coding and natural language processing techniques was used to conduct sentiment analysis and topic modeling on the free-form comment texts. Descriptive analysis was performed on the comment themes and emotions, and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between patient negative comments and patient satisfaction and loyalty.Results:A total of 10 446 comment texts provided by cancer patients were included. The most frequently targeted objects in the comments were nurses (2 223 cases), followed by doctors (1 125 cases) and nursing assistants (162 cases). The results of sentiment analysis showed that 7 058 patients made positive comments, 1 958 patients made negative comments, 1 114 patients made neutral comments, and 316 patients made mixed comments. The results of topic analysis showed that the five most frequently mentioned themes by cancer patients were humanistic care (1 327 times), information provision, communication, and education (589 times), diet (582 times), effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment (506 times), and medical staff responsibility (489 times). Logistic regression analysis showed that negative evaluations of humanistic care ( OR=0.306, P<0.001), professional technical level ( OR=0.425, P=0.010), information provision, communication, and education ( OR=0.475, P<0.001), and response to needs ( OR=0.412, P=0.026) were significantly associated with decreased patient satisfaction. Negative evaluations of humanistic care ( OR=0.407, P<0.001), professional technical level ( OR=0.466, P=0.009), and information provision, communication, and education ( OR=0.557, P<0.001) were significantly associated with decreased patient loyalty. Conclusions:Hospital managers should value the role of patient free-form comment texts in improving medical services and make full use of natural language processing techniques for information mining. In addition, the results of this study show that patient comments mainly involve the interpersonal and functional aspects of service, especially the interpersonal interactions, which are often the " critical moments" for patients to critically evaluate hospital services during their service experience.
5.Targeting NTCP for liver disease treatment:A promising strategy
Tan XIN ; Xiang YU ; Shi JIANYOU ; Chen LU ; Yu DONGKE
Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis 2024;14(9):1267-1281
The sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide(NTCP),a bile acids transporter,has been identi-fied as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of liver disease.This paper thoroughly investigates the function of NTCP for regulating bile acid regulation,its correlation with hepatitis B and D infections,and its association with various liver diseases.Additionally,in this review we examine recent breakthroughs in creating NTCP inhibitors and their prospective applications in liver disease treatment.While this review emphasizes the promising potential of targeting NTCP,it concurrently underscores the need for broader and more detailed research to fully understand the long-term implications and potential side effects associated with NTCP inhibition.
6.Effect of intraoperative continuous infusion insulin on myocardial perfusion in patients after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass
Zhuan ZHANG ; Jiajia YIN ; Ning LI ; Chao CHEN ; Kai ZHANG ; Rongrong MA ; Shiyu GUAN ; Jianyou ZHANG ; Qiang WANG ; Hu LI
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(5):497-502
Objective To investigate the effect of continuous intraoperative insulin infusion on my-ocardial blood perfusion after cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB).Methods Forty-eight patients,21 males and 27 females,aged 55-80 years,BMI 18-28 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅱ-Ⅳ,who underwent elective cardiac surgery with CPB were selected and randomly divided into two groups:the insulin group(group I,n = 25)and the control group(group C,n = 23).The same anesthesia protocol was implemented in both groups.After induction of anesthesia,group Ⅰ received intravenously infusion of in-sulin 30 mU·kg-1·h-1,glucose 0.12 g·kg-1·h-1,and potassium chloride 0.06 mmol·kg-1·h-1,and group C received saline 10 ml/h,all of which were infused until the end of surgery.The targeted blood glucose range for both groups was set at 6.1-11.1 mmol/L.Transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)was performed 10 minutes after induction of general anesthesia(T2)and before the end of surgery(T6)to ex-amine the coronary sinus(CS)flow spectrum and diameter,pulmonary venous flow spectrum,and calculate CS net antegrade flow velocity time integral(VTI).Femoral mean arterial pressure(MAP),central venous pressure(CVP),stroke volume(SV),cardiac index(CI)and peripheral vascular resistance index(SVRI)were recorded at T2,2 minutes before CPB(T3),the end of CPB(T5),and T6.The concentra-tions of blood glucose and lactate 5 minutes before anesthesia induction(T1),T3,30 minutes after CPB(T4),T5,T6,6 hours after surgery(T7),12 hours after surgery(T8),and 24 hours after surgery(T9)were recorded.The levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),high-sensitivity troponin I(hs-TnI),and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB)were recorded 1 day preoperatively,1 and 2 days post-operatively.Results Compared with group C,in group I,CS net antegrade flow VTI and blood flow per minute were significantly increased(P<0.05),and pulmonary venous peak atrial reversal wave velocity(ARp)was significantly reduced at T6(P<0.05),SV and CI were significantly increased and SVRI was significantly decreased at T5 and T6(P<0.05),lactate concentration was significantly decreased at T7 and T8(P<0.05),hs-CRP and CKMB were significantly decreased 1 and 2 days postoperatively(P<0.05),hs-TnI was significantly reduced 2 days postoperatively(P<0.05).Conclusion Continuous insulin admin-istration during cardiac surgery with CPB while maintaining blood glucose at 6.1-11.1 mmol/L can enhance myocardial blood perfusion,mitigate postoperative inflammatory response,and reduce myocardial injury.
7.Effect of intraoperative renal artery resistance index in predicting postoperative acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery
Zhuan ZHANG ; Chao CHEN ; Xinqi ZHANG ; Bo YUAN ; Jiajia YIN ; Luo ZHANG ; Jianyou ZHNAG ; Zhi FU ; Qiang WANG ; Yanlong YU
The Journal of Clinical Anesthesiology 2024;40(9):944-948
Objective To investigate the effect of intraoperative renal artery resistance index(RI)in predicting postoperative acute kidney injury(AKI)in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopul-monary bypass(CPB).Methods Forty-four patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB,21 males and 23 females,aged ≥18 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,were select-ed.Left renal artery peak systolic velocity(PSV)and end-diastolic velocity(EDV)were measured by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)20 minutes after general anesthesia induction(T1)and 30 minutes after CPB cessation(T2).RI was calculated as(PSV-EDV)/PSV.Patients were divided into two groups:the AKI group and the non-AKI group,according to whether occurred AKI by the diagnostic criteria of the kidney disease:improving global outcomes organization(KDIGO).Logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for AKI occurrence.Results Sixteen patients(36%)oc-curred AKI.Compared with the non-AKI group,the CPB duration and aortic cross-clamp duration were sig-nificantly prolonged(P<0.05),the renal artery RI at T,and T2 were significantly increased in the AKI group(P<0.05).Multivariate logstic analysis showed that RI at T2 was an independent risk factor for AKI occurrence after cardiac surgery,the AUC was 0.893(95%CI 0.794-0.991,P<0.010),the sensitivity and specificity were 84.5%and 78.6%,respectively,and the cut-off value was 0.720.Conclusion Intra-operative renal artery RI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery,and renal artery RI>0.720 at 30 minutes after CPB cessation can serve as a predictive in-dicator for AKI after cardiac surgery.
8.Efficacy of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether-mediated photodynamic therapy in the treatment of facial port-wine stains in 15 children with Sturge-Weber syndrome
Sheng ZHANG ; Xiuwei WANG ; Jianyou CHEN ; Wei DENG ; Haihua ZHANG ; Gaolei ZHANG ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Wei SU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2024;57(7):616-622
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of hematoporphyrin monomethyl ether (HMME) -mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of facial port-wine stains (PWS) in children with Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) .Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted based on the clinical data from SWS children treated with HMME-PDT at the Department of Dermatology, Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from December 2020 to January 2022. HMME was intravenously injected at a dose of 5 mg/kg, followed by the irradiation of SWS lesions with a 532-nm light-emitting diode light source, and the treatment interval was 8 weeks. The efficacy of HMME-PDT for SWS was evaluated based on the subsidence of erythema and changes in the number and density of blood vessels under a dermoscope before and after treatment; adverse events after treatment were recorded. Fisher's exact test was used to analyze differences in efficacy.Results:A total of 15 children with SWS were included, comprising 7 males and 8 females, with an average age of 4.74 years (range, 1 - 14 years). There were 10 cases of clinical phenotype Ⅰ and 5 cases of type Ⅱ; 10 patients were accompanied by glaucoma, 6 by epilepsy, and 10 showed abnormalities on craniocerebral imaging. After HMME-PDT treatment, 4 out of 15 patients achieved complete remission of SWS lesions, 3 showed marked improvement, and 5 achieved improvement. Among 8 cases receiving 2 sessions of treatment, 1 achieved marked improvement and 4 showed improvement; among 7 cases receiving 3 or more sessions of treatment, 4 achieved complete remission, 2 achieved marked improvement, and 1 showed improvement; the proportions of patients achieving complete remission and marked improvement were significantly higher among those receiving 3 or more sessions of treatment than those receiving 2 sessions (both P < 0.05). Among 7 patients with pink-type PWS, 1 recovered completely, 2 achieved marked improvement, and 4 showed improvement; among 4 patients with purplish-red-type PWS, 3 recovered completely and 1 showed marked improvement; among 4 patients with thickened-type PWS, 1 achieved improvement; there was a significant difference in the proportions of patients achieving marked improvement or improvement among the patients with different types of PWS (both P < 0.05). Among 14 patients with lesions involving the central face region, 4 achieved marked improvement and 2 showed improvement; among 15 with lesions involving the lateral face region, 5 recovered completely, 3 achieved marked improvement, and 4 showed improvement; the recovery rate of lesions was higher in the lateral face region than in the central face region ( P < 0.05). Under a dermoscope, the skin lesions showed 4 vascular patterns: short rod-shaped vessels in 3 cases, linear vessels in 4, reticular vessels in 5, and mixed-type vessels in 3. The 3 patients with short rod-shaped vessels all recovered completely; among the 4 patients with linear vessels, 2 achieved marked improvement, and 2 showed improvement; among the 5 patients with reticular vessels, 1 recovered completely, 1 achieved marked improvement, and 3 showed improvement; the 3 patients with mixed-type vessels all showed poor response to the treatment; the proportions of patients who recovered completely and those who achieved improvement significantly differed among the patients with 4 different vascular patterns (both P < 0.05). All the children experienced varying degrees of pain, swelling, purpura, and crusting after treatment, but none exhibited exacerbation of ocular or neurological complications. Conclusion:HMME-PDT was safe and effective in the treatment of PWS in children with SWS, and its efficacy was related to the number of treatment sessions, lesion types and locations.
9.Skin manifestations of 61 children with coronavirus disease 19
Wei DENG ; Gaolei ZHANG ; Jianyou CHEN ; Sheng ZHANG ; Lixiao JIANG ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Wei SU
Chinese Journal of Dermatology 2023;56(12):1154-1157
Objective:To analyze skin manifestations associated with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) in children.Methods:Children diagnosed with COVID-19 accompanied by skin manifestations were retrospectively collected from outpatient clinics or teleclinics at the Department of Dermatology, Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from November 1st, 2022 to December 10th, 2022, and their clinical characteristics were analyzed. Analysis of variance was used for comparing measurement data, and Fisher′s exact test for comparing enumeration data.Results:A total of 61 children with COVID-19 accompanied by skin lesions were included, they were aged from 22 days to 17 years (2.83 ± 2.47 years, and their course of disease ranged from 2 to 14 days. Skin lesions manifested as acute urticaria in 25 cases (41.0%), eruptive/maculopapular lesions in 10 cases (16.4%), facial vascular edema in 6 cases (9.8%), urticarial vasculitis in 5 cases (8.2%), pityriasis rosea and erythema multiforme each in 4 cases (6.6%), purpura in 2 cases (3.3%), mixed skin lesions in 2 cases (3.3%), and folliculitis, erythema nodosum, as well as angioedema of the limbs each in 1 case (1.6%). The age of children with different skin manifestations significantly differed ( F = 4.67, P < 0.001). Forty-eight patients (78.69%) presented with generalized skin lesions, while 13 (21.31%) with localized skin lesions; 10 (16.4%) had itching, 3 (4.9%) had a burning sensation, while 48 (78.7%) showed no symptoms. Skin lesions persisted for ≤ 3 days in 36 cases (59.0%) and for > 3 days in 25 cases (41.0%), and all lesions persisted for less than 2 weeks. All 61 patients had fever up to 38.5 ℃; 1 (1.6%) developed skin lesions before the fever, 41 (67.2%) developed lesions during the fever, and 19 (31.2%) developed lesions after the fever. The skin manifestations significantly differed among various groups divided by patients with different lesion distribution, self-reported symptoms, duration of lesions, and sequence between fever and lesion onset (all P < 0.05). No recurrence was observed after recovery, and skin lesions subsided without pigment changes or scaring. Conclusion:COVID-19 was often accompanied by various skin lesions in children, which mainly manifested as urticaria and eruptive/maculopapular lesions.
10.Analysis of Mechanism of Antidepressant Effect of Sophora flavescens Seed Extract
Tian ZHU ; Ru WANG ; Lihua BIAN ; Wenjing LI ; Jie LI ; Liangmian CHEN ; Zhimin WANG ; Huimin GAO ; Jianyou GUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(24):122-129
ObjectiveTo explore the antidepressant effect of Sophora flavescens seed extract and its molecular mechanism. MethodA mouse depression model was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and normal group, model group, fluoxetine group(2.5 mg·kg-1), and S. flavescens seed low, medium and high dose groups(200, 400, 800 mg·kg-1) were set up for 7 d of consecutive gavage. Then the antidepressant effect of S. flavescens seed extract was evaluated by using open field test, elevated plus maze test and forced swimming test. Pathological morphological changes in the hippocampal tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. Protein expression levels of G1/S-specific cyclin D1(Cyclin D1), Wnt1, β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β(p-GSK-3β) in mouse brain tissues were detected by Western blot. Hippocampal cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate(dUTP) nick end labeling(TUNEL). ResultThe results of mouse behavioral experiments showed that compared with the normal group, the speed of movement in the open field and the distance of movement in the central area of the open field, and the time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze were significantly reduced in the model group(P<0.01), while immobility time in the forced swimming test was significantly increased(P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups had increased speed of movement in the open field test and time spent on the open arms of the elevated plus maze test(P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased immobility time in the forced swimming test(P<0.05), the distance of movement in the central area of the open field test increased in the high dose group(P<0.05). HE staining results showed that compared with the normal group, the hippocampal neuron structure of mice in the model group was damaged. Compared with the model group, after treatment of S. flavescens seed extract, the pathological state of the mouse hippocampal neuron structure was alleviated, and the neurons increased, were neatly arranged, and the cytoplasm was clear. Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in mouse brain tissue were significantly decreased(P<0.01), while the protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 and p-GSK-3β were significantly increased(P<0.01) after LPS injection. Compared with the model group, protein expression levels of Wnt1 and β-catenin in brain tissue of S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups were significantly increased(P<0.01), while the protein expression levels of Cyclin D1 and p-GSK-3β were significantly decreased(P<0.01). TUNEL staining results showed that the hippocampal cell apoptosis rate in the model group was significantly increased compared with that of the normal group(P<0.01), while the hippocampal cell apoptosis rate in the S. flavescens seed medium and high dose groups was significantly decreased compared with that of the model group(P<0.01). ConclusionS. flavescens seed extract can effectively improve the severity of depression in LPS-induced depressed mice, and its molecular mechanism is related to the regulation of neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

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