1.Integrating Transcriptomics and 3D Organoids to Investigate Mechanism of Periplaneta americana Extract Against Lung Adenocarcinoma
Qiong MA ; Chunxia HUANG ; Jiawei HE ; Yuting BAI ; Xingyue LIU ; Yuxuan XIONG ; Yang ZHONG ; Hengzhou LAI ; Yuling JIANG ; Xueke LI ; Qian WANG ; Yifeng REN ; Xi FU ; Funeng GENG ; Taoqing WU ; Ping XIAO ; Fengming YOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(11):124-132
ObjectiveTo evaluate the antitumor activity of Periplaneta americana extract(PAE) against human-derived lung adenocarcinoma organoids(LUAD-PDOs) and to elucidate its potential mechanism based on transcriptomics. MethodsFresh tumor and adjacent normal tissues from patients with LUAD were collected to construct LUAD-PDOs and normal lung organoid(Nor-PDOs) models using 3D organoid culture technology. The effective intervention concentration of PAE was determined using the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) assay. Experimental groups included the model group(LUAD-PDOs), normal group, model administration group(LUAD-PDOs+PAE), and normal administration group(Nor-PDOs+PAE). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological structures of PDOs, immunohistochemistry(IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of the proliferation marker Ki-67 and lung adenocarcinoma differentiation markers cytokeratin-7(CK-7) and Napsin A, TUNEL staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq) was conducted to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs), followed by Gene Ontology(GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA), alongside protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis to screen core mechanisms. Finally, key targets were validated by integrating external database analysis with immunofluorescence(IF). ResultsNor-PDOs and LUAD-PDOs that highly recapitulated the pathological characteristics of the primary tissues were successfully established. The CCK-8 assay determined that the effective intervention concentration of PAE was 16 g·L-1. Morphological observation showed that Nor-PDOs exhibited lumen-forming structures, whereas LUAD-PDOs displayed dense, solid structures. CCK-8 and TUNEL assays revealed that, compared with the model group, PAE intervention inhibited the proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promoted apoptosis in LUAD cells, while showing no significant effect on the viability of Nor-PDOs. Transcriptomic analysis identified 719 DEGs that were significantly reversed after PAE intervention(347 up-regulated and 372 down-regulated)(P<0.05). GO enrichment analysis indicated that DEGs in the model administration group were significantly enriched in biological processes related to cell cycle regulation compared to the model group. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that PAE affected pathways related to proliferation and metabolism, including pathways in cancer and the p53 signaling pathway. GSEA further confirmed that PAE significantly enhanced the activity of the p53 signaling pathway(P<0.05). PPI network analysis indicated that breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein(BRCA1) and checkpoint kinase 1(CHEK1) were the core down-regulated targets in the p53 pathway. IF verified the high expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 in LUAD-PDOs and their significant downregulation after PAE intervention(P<0.05). Furthermore, survival analysis based on The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA) database indicated that low expression of BRCA1 and CHEK1 was significantly associated with prolonged overall survival in patients with LUAD(P<0.05). ConclusionPAE effectively inhibits proliferation of LUAD-PDOs and promotes their apoptosis, its anti-tumor mechanism is potentially associated with the activation of the p53 signaling pathway, with BRCA1 and CHEK1 genes likely serving as key downstream targets for the effects of PAE.
2.Insomnia and quality of life as chain mediators between negative life events and depression severity in adolescents with depressive disorders
Xu ZHANG ; Lewei LIU ; Jiawei WANG ; Feng GENG ; Daming MO ; Changhao CHEN ; Zhiwei LIU ; Xiangwang WEN ; Xiangfen LUO ; Huanzhong LIU
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(1):163-168
ObjectiveTo explore the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in adolescent patients with depressive disorder, as well as the chain mediating role of insomnia symptoms and quality of life. Methods374 outpatient patients and hospitalized patients with adolescent depressive disorders were enrolled. The Adolescent Life Event Scale (ASLEC), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and the Center for Epidemiology Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to evaluate the negative life event situation, insomnia symptoms, quality of life level and depression severity of the subjects, respectively. In addition, the PROCESS 4.0 macroprogram was used to analyze the chain mediating effect of insomnia symptoms and quality of life between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorder. ResultsThe results of correlation analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between negative life events and insomnia symptoms, quality of life, and depression severity (all P<0.05). In addition, the results of chain mediation showed that negative life events had a significant direct effect on depression severity, with an effect size of 0.12 (P<0.001). Insomnia symptoms and quality of life played a mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and depression severity in patients with adolescent depressive disorders, with indirect effect sizes of 0.062 (95%CI: 0.040-0.087) and 0.091 (95%CI: 0.059-0.123), respectively. It could also play a chain mediation role, and the effect size was 0.039 (95%CI: 0.024-0.057). ConclusionNegative life events experienced by patients with adolescent depressive disorder not only directly affect the severity of depressive symptoms, but may also indirectly exacerbate depression through insomnia symptoms and quality of life.
3.Progress in artificial intelligence for predicting therapeutic efficacy of intravitreal injection
Xiaofeng WU ; Jiayi ZHANG ; Chunyan XIAO ; Yanshuang GENG ; Yonggang LIU ; Boxuan SONG ; Jiawei WANG
International Eye Science 2026;26(4):687-693
Intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)therapy has been widely used, but the variability in its therapeutic efficacy limits individualized treatment. In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence(AI)has opened up new avenues for personalized treatment response prediction, and its core branches include machine learning(ML)and deep learning(DL). This review systematically retrieved and analyzed 41 relevant studies published up to April 2025. Comprehensive analysis reveals that AI predictive models are evolving from forecasting single endpoints(such as visual acuity or central retinal thickness)to integrating multi-dimensional endpoints(encompassing anatomical, functional, and treatment demand parameters)and generating predictive imaging outputs. In terms of technical approaches, DL models(28 studies, accounting for 68.3%)dominate this field due to their robust image interpretation capabilities, while ML models(10 studies, 24.4%)retain significant value in the analysis of structured clinical data. Cross-disease comparisons indicate that research efforts are most concentrated on age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)and diabetic macular edema(DME), with shared conceptual frameworks for model construction, yet distinct anatomical and functional indicators are prioritized for each disease. Currently, the field confronts several key challenges, including insufficient prospective clinical validation, limited model interpretability(the “black box problem”), and a scarcity of high-quality multi-center datasets. Moving forward, it is imperative to advance real-world validation and develop explainable AI techniques to expedite the clinical translation of these predictive models.
4.Mechanism of Erchentang Improving Obesity in Mice by Inducing Browning of White Adipose Tissue Based on AMPK/PGC-1α Signaling Pathway
Jiawei CHEN ; Maohui LIU ; Zhida YANG ; Weijun DING ; Xiuwen XIA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(13):11-19
ObjectiveThis paper aims to investigate the mechanism by which Erchentang improves body weight in obese mice by regulating the AMP‑activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ coactivator‑1α (PGC‑1α) signaling pathway and inducing browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT). MethodsObese mouse models were established by feeding a high‑fat diet. After successful modeling, mice were randomly divided into a model group and low‑, medium‑, and high‑dose Erchentang groups (7.5, 15, 30 g·kg-1), with six mice in each group. Another six normal mice were set as the normal group. Mice in the treatment groups were administered with corresponding doses of the drug by gavage, while those in the normal and model groups were administered with an equal volume of pure water by gavage for four consecutive weeks. Obesity was evaluated by body weight and Lee's index. The levels of low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‑C) and high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‑C) in serum were detected by biochemical assays. The leptin content in serum was measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological morphology of the liver and iWAT. Immunofluorescence staining was applied to detect the protein expression levels of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in the liver and iWAT. Molecular docking was performed to simulate the binding affinity between the key components of Erchentang (nobiletin, diosmetin, naringenin) and the key pathway proteins AMPK and PGC‑1α. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of uncoupling protein‑1 (UCP‑1), AMPK, phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p‑AMPK), and PGC‑1α in iWAT. ResultsCompared with those in the normal group, the mice in the model group showed significantly increased body weight and Lee's index, elevated levels of HDL‑C, LDL‑C, and leptin in serum, enlarged adipocytes in iWAT, down‑regulated protein expression levels of GLUT4 in iWAT and liver, and decreased protein expression levels of UCP‑1 and PGC‑1α in iWAT(P<0.05, P<0.01), the expression level of p-AMPK / AMPK protein was up-regulated, but the difference was not statistically significant. Compared with those in the model group, the mice in the Erchentang groups with different doses exhibited significantly reduced body weight and Lee's index, decreased levels of HDL‑C, LDL‑C, and leptin in serum, smaller adipocytes in iWAT, up‑regulated GLUT4 protein expression levels in iWAT and liver, and increased protein expression levels of UCP‑1, p‑AMPK/AMPK, and PGC‑1α in iWAT (P<0.05, P<0.01). Molecular docking results show that nobiletin, diosmetin, and naringenin have strong binding energies with both AMPK and PGC‑1α. ConclusionErchentang may improve body weight in obese mice by regulating the AMPK/PGC‑1α signaling pathway and inducing iWAT browning.
5.Exploring Mechanisms of Erchentang in Repairing Ileal Immune Barrier and Reducing Weights of Diet-induced Obese Mice Based on Single-cell Transcriptomics
Jiawei CHEN ; Maohui LIU ; Jilan CHEN ; Jiushuang ZHU ; Yingxiu MEI ; Yue JIN ; Xiuwen XIA ; Weijun DING
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(14):226-236
ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Erchentang (ECD) on the body weight of the mouse model of simple obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and decipher the underlying mechanisms. MethodsFirstly, single-cell transcriptomics (Sc-RNAseq) was employed to analyze the transcriptional changes in the ileum tissue of mice in the normal group and model group. Then, a mouse model of simple obesity was established with a high-fat diet. The successfully modeled mice were randomly allocated into the following four groups (n=8): model, low-dose (7.5 g·kg-1) ECD, medium-dose (15 g·kg-1) ECD, and high-dose (30 g·kg-1) ECD. Additionally, 8 mice of the same age were selected as the normal group. The body weight was measured at fixed time points during the 4-week gavage period. The overall efficacy of ECD in alleviating obesity was evaluated through glucose tolerance testing, behavioral analysis, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and biochemical testing. Protein docking was employed to predict the degree of binding between corresponding proteins. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding degree between key components of ECD and target proteins. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), CD68, CD206, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), and Claudin-5 in the ileum. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression and distribution of Claudin-5 and ZO-1. ResultsThe Sc-RNAseq results indicated that the differentially expressed genes of immune cells in the model group in comparison with the normal group were primarily enriched in biological functions related to lipid metabolism and inflammatory metabolism. Additionally, these genes were associated with the janus kinases(JAK)/signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway, an inflammation-related pathway. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in body weight (P<0.01) and blood glucose level (P<0.01), a decrease in limb strength (P<0.01), an increase in liver weight (P<0.05), and elevated serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) and aspartate transferase (AST) levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, the model group exhibited increased hepatic fat vacuoles, notably enlarged adipocytes in the epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue, and increased inflammation. Compared with the model group, ECD groups showed reduced body weights (P<0.01) and blood glucose levels (P<0.01), increased limb strength (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased liver weights (P<0.05, P<0.01), and declined serum ALT and AST levels (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, ECD reduced hepatic fat vacuoles and the adipocyte volume in the epididymal and inguinal white adipose tissue, and alleviated inflammation. Potential interactions existed between CD68 and ZO-1/Claudin-5, as well as between CD206 and ZO-1/Claudin-5. The key components of ECD, nobiletin, diosmetin, and naringenin, all demonstrated strong binding affinity with the target proteins ZO-1 and Claudin-5. Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited up-regulated mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and CD68 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and down-regulated mRNA levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine CD206 (P<0.01) and the tight junction proteins Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the ECD groups showed down-regulated mRNA levels of TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and CD68 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and up-regulated mRNA levels of CD206, Claudin-5, and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, the model group exhibited down-regulated expression of tight junction proteins Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ECD groups showed up-regulated expression of Claudin-5 and ZO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionECD can significantly ameliorate HFD-induced obesity and excessive body weight gain in mice by improving the inflammatory microenvironment in the ileum and further restoring the integrity of the impaired ileal barrier.
6.Clinical Characteristics and Early Risk Factors for Toxic Encephalopathy in Acute Diquat Poisoning
Yihong YANG ; Jiawei LI ; Xiaojuan LIU ; Qiqi LIU ; Hongbo LIU ; Guanghua XIONG ; Yecheng LIU
Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital 2025;16(5):1229-1235
To analyze the clinical characteristics of acute diquat poisoning complicated by central nervous system injury (CNSI) and identify early risk factors, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for reducing mortality in diquat poisoning with CNSI. Clinical data from patients with acute diquat poisoning admitted to the Emergency Department of Fuyang People's Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University between October 2019 and October 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into CNSI and non-CNSI groups based on complications. Clinical features were compared between groups, and variables with statistical significance were subjected to binary logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for CNSI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to evaluate the predictive value of these factors. A total of 63 eligible patients were included, with 18 deaths (28.57%) and 26 cases (41.27%) complicated by CNSI. The median time from diquat ingestion to CNSI onset was 15.5 (9.8, 31.3) hours. The CNSI group exhibited significantly higher mortality rates and required more frequent respiratory support and anti-shock therapy than the non-CNSI group (all CNSI is a fatal complication of acute diquat poisoning with high mortality. Diquat plasma concentration (≥549.95 μg/L) and APACHE Ⅱ score are independent risk factors for CNSI, and their combined application enhances predictive accuracy. These findings underscore the importance of early risk stratification and targeted interventions in high-risk populations.
7.Regulation of autophagy on diabetic cataract under the interaction of glycation and oxidative stress
Rong WANG ; Pengfei LI ; Jiawei LIU ; Yuxin DAI ; Mengying ZHOU ; Xiaoxi QIAN ; Wei CHEN ; Min JI
International Eye Science 2025;25(12):1932-1937
Diabetic cataract, a prevalent ocular complication of diabetes mellitus, arises from a complex interplay of pathological mechanisms, with oxidative stress and glycation stress playing central roles. Autophagy, a critical cellular self-protection mechanism, sustains intracellular homeostasis by selectively degrading damaged organelles and misfolded proteins, thereby counteracting the detrimental effects of oxidative and glycation stress under hyperglycemic conditions. Emerging evidence indicates a synergistic interaction between glycation stress and oxidative stress, which may exacerbate autophagic dysfunction and accelerate the onset and progression of diabetic cataract. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship remain incompletely understood. This review systematically examines the regulatory role of autophagy inthe pathogenesis of diabetic cataract, with a particular focus on how autophagic impairment influences disease progression under the combined effects of glycation and oxidative stress. By elucidating these mechanisms, the paper aims to provide novel insights into molecular diagnostic approaches and targeted therapeutic strategies for diabetic cataract.
8.Mechanism of "olfactory three needles" in regulating microglia and promoting remyelination in vascular dementia rats.
Le LI ; Qiang WANG ; Junyang LIU ; Weijia ZHAO ; Jiawei ZENG ; Bingbing ZHANG ; Ruirui MAO ; Weixing FENG ; Jie LI
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(4):473-481
OBJECTIVE:
To observe the effects of "olfactory three needles" on cognition, learning and memory abilities, as well as hippocampal microglia (MG) phagocytic activity in vascular dementia (VD) rats, and explore the mechanisms of acupuncture in regulating MG activation and improving remyelination, so as to ameliorate VD.
METHODS:
Among 38 SD rats meeting experimental requirements, 9 rats were randomly assigned to a sham-operation group, and the remaining rats underwent permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation to establish VD model. Eighteen successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group and an electroacupuncture (EA) group, with 9 rats in each one. In the EA group, EA was performed at "olfactory three needles" ("Yintang" [GV24+] and bilateral "Yingxiang" [LI20]), at disperse-dense wave, the frequency of 2 Hz/15 Hz and the current intensity of 1 mA, for 15 min per intervention, once daily. One course was composed of 7 days, and 2 courses were required, with the interval of 2 days. The novel object recognition test was employed to assess the cognition of rats, and the Morris water maze was adopted to observe learning and memory abilities. Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining was performed to evaluate myelin sheath loss in the hippocampus, the Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) and proteolipid protein (PLP) in the hippocampus; and the immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the positive expression of PLP, sex determining region Y-box 10 (SOX10), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1)+ TREM2+ and Iba1+ lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)+ in the hippocampus.
RESULTS:
Compared with the sham-operation group, the rats in the model group exhibited the prolonged escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05, P<0.01), the increase of the total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the decrease of the recognition index (RI) and platform crossing frequency (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the rats in the EA group showed the shortened escape latency on day 3 and 4 (P<0.05), the decrease of total distance traveling (P<0.01) and the increase of RI and platform crossing frequency (P<0.05, P<0.01). When compared with the sham-operation group, the rats of the model group presented uneven staining, sparse arrangement of myelin sheath fibers, unclear contours, and prominent vacuole-like changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. When compared with the model group, the EA group showed more dense staining, the increase of myelin sheath fibers with more orderly alignment, and fewer vacuolar changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. Compared with the sham-operation group, the model group exhibited the increase of TREM2 protein expression and the decrease of PLP protein expression in the hippocampus (P<0.01), whereas the EA group showed the up-regulation of TREM2 and PLP protein expression when compared with the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The positive expression of the hippocampal PLP, SOX10, and Iba1+LAMP1+ in the model group was reduced in comparison with the sham-operation group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the positive expression of Iba1+ TREM2+ was elevated (P<0.05). In the EA group, the positive expression of PLP, SOX10, Iba1+TREM2+, and Iba1+ LAMP1+ was higher compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
"Olfactory three needles" can improve the learning and memory, and cognitive functions of VD rats, and its mechanism may be associated with the up-regulation of TREM2 and LAMP1 to adjust MG phagocytic activity and intracellular degradation, and promote remyelination.
Animals
;
Dementia, Vascular/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Microglia/metabolism*
;
Male
;
Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation*
;
Acupuncture Points
;
Humans
;
Remyelination
;
Memory
;
Hippocampus/cytology*
;
Cognition
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Needles
9.Safety of teriflunomide in Chinese adult patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: A phase IV, 24-week multicenter study.
Chao QUAN ; Hongyu ZHOU ; Huan YANG ; Zheng JIAO ; Meini ZHANG ; Baorong ZHANG ; Guojun TAN ; Bitao BU ; Tao JIN ; Chunyang LI ; Qun XUE ; Huiqing DONG ; Fudong SHI ; Xinyue QIN ; Xinghu ZHANG ; Feng GAO ; Hua ZHANG ; Jiawei WANG ; Xueqiang HU ; Yueting CHEN ; Jue LIU ; Wei QIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(4):452-458
BACKGROUND:
Disease-modifying therapies have been approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS). The present study aims to examine the safety of teriflunomide in Chinese patients with RMS.
METHODS:
This non-randomized, multi-center, 24-week, prospective study enrolled RMS patients with variant (c.421C>A) or wild type ABCG2 who received once-daily oral teriflunomide 14 mg. The primary endpoint was the relationship between ABCG2 polymorphisms and teriflunomide exposure over 24 weeks. Safety was assessed over the 24-week treatment with teriflunomide.
RESULTS:
Eighty-two patients were assigned to variant ( n = 42) and wild type groups ( n = 40), respectively. Geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (SD) of pre-dose concentration (variant, 54.9 [38.0] μg/mL; wild type, 49.1 [32.0] μg/mL) and area under plasma concentration-time curve over a dosing interval (AUC tau ) (variant, 1731.3 [769.0] μg∙h/mL; wild type, 1564.5 [1053.0] μg∙h/mL) values at steady state were approximately similar between the two groups. Safety profile was similar and well tolerated across variant and wild type groups in terms of rates of treatment emergent adverse events (TEAE), treatment-related TEAE, grade ≥3 TEAE, and serious adverse events (AEs). No new specific safety concerns or deaths were reported in the study.
CONCLUSION:
ABCG2 polymorphisms did not affect the steady-state exposure of teriflunomide, suggesting a similar efficacy and safety profile between variant and wild type RMS patients.
REGISTRATION
NCT04410965, https://clinicaltrials.gov .
Humans
;
Crotonates/adverse effects*
;
Toluidines/adverse effects*
;
Nitriles
;
Hydroxybutyrates
;
Female
;
Male
;
Adult
;
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2/genetics*
;
Middle Aged
;
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting/genetics*
;
Prospective Studies
;
Young Adult
;
Neoplasm Proteins/genetics*
;
East Asian People
10.Mechanistic insights into “Three Methods and Three Acupoints” Tuina therapy for improving spinal microcirculation and motor function in sciatic nerve injury model rats
Hanyu Zhang ; Yingqi Zhang ; Hourong Wang ; Jiayue Liu ; Jiawei Sun ; Jinping Chen ; Zhifeng Liu ; Tianyuan Yu ; Jian Shu
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences 2025;2025(1):125-134
Objective:
To investigate the effects of “Three Methods and Three Acupoints” (TMTP) Tuina therapy on spinal microcirculation in sciatic nerve injury (SNI).
Methods:
Thirty-six Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: normal, sham operation, model, and TMTP Tuina. Successful model induction was confirmed by observable hind limb lameness. After 20 sessions, hind limb grip strength and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) were measured at baseline and following the 10th and 20th intervention. CD31 and α-SMA in the ventral horn of SNI model rats were detected using immunofluorescence. Motor neurons in the ventral horn were detected by Nissl staining. PTEN levels in the ventral horn were measured by ELISA, and PI3K, Akt, BDNF, VEGF, and HIF-1α expression was determined by RT-PCR. Spinal cord microcirculation was evaluated by western blotting analysis of the levels of Akt, p-Akt, BDNF, and VEGF.
Results:
Hind limb grip strength and MNCV significantly improved in the TMTP Tuina group compared to the model group (both P < .001). Morphology of ventral horn motor neurons in the TMTP Tuina group improved compared to the model group, with increased expressions of α-SMA (P = .002) and CD31 (P = .006). Western blot analysis indicated increased expression of VEGF (P = .005), p-Akt (P < .001), and BDNF (P = .008) in the ventral horn following Tuina treatment. RT-PCR analysis revealed increased expression of PI3K, Akt, BDNF, VEGF and HIF-1α (all P < .05). In contrast, expression of PTEN decreased compared to the model group (P < .001).
Conclusion
TMTP Tuina therapy may restore motor function in rats, enhance ventral horn motor neuron morphology, and promote angiogenesis and vascular smooth muscle proliferation. The mechanism may involve the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.


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