To explore the correlation between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia(Hcy), and hyperlipidemia in the Tibetan population of Tibet.

Objective: To investigate trends of incidence, mortality, and years of life lost (YLL) rate of lung cancer in cancer registration areas of Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide references for formulating lung cancer prevention and control strategies and reducing the disease burden of lung cancer. Methods: The qualified lung cancer registration data from cancer registration areas of Guizhou Province from 2017 to 2021 were collected, the crude incidence and mortality of lung cancer were calculated by urban/rural areas, genders and ages. The standardized incidence and standardized mortality was calculated using the age structure of the standard population from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000. YLL was calculated using the standard life table from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The disease burden of lung cancer was assessed using incidence, mortality, and YLL rate, and the trend in the disease burden of lung cancer from 2017 to 2021 was calculated using annual percent change (APC). Results : From 2017 to 2021, the crude incidence, standardized incidence, crude mortality, standardized mortality, YLL and YLL rate in Guizhou Province were 53.13/100 000, 37.58/100 000, 42.77/100 000, 29.44/100 000, 98.19 thousand person-years and 10.95‰, respectively. The standardized incidence and standardized mortality of lung cancer were higher in rural areas than in urban areas (39.45/100 000 vs. 34.23/100 000, 30.68/100 000 vs. 27.18/100 000). The standardized incidence and standardized mortality of lung cancer were higher in males than in females (49.34/100 000 vs. 26.47/100 000, 41.31/100 000 vs. 18.28/100 000). The crude incidence and crude mortality of lung cancer increased with age, peaking in the 80-<85 age group (360.84/100 000) and the ≥85 age group (414.85/100 000), respectively. From 2017 to 2021, the standardized incidence demonstrated downward trends in the total population, urban areas and males (APC=-6.590%, -5.829%, and -6.729%, all P<0.05). The standardized mortality demonstrated downward trends in urban areas and females (APC=-3.710% and -5.378%, both P<0.05). The YLL rate also showed downward trends in urban areas and females (APC=-3.957% and -3.631%, both P<0.05). Conclusions From 2017 to 2021, the overall disease burden of lung cancer in registration areas of Guizhou Province showed a decreasing trend. However, the disease burden remained relatively heavier in rural areas and males, with a relatively gradual change.

Objective To analyze the monitoring data of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases prevention and control system in Yichang in 2022, and to provide data support and experience for the precise prevention and treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. Methods Acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event data were collected from the Yichang Cardio-cerebrovascular Events Monitoring System from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022. Descriptive analysis was conducted for the data collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0 software, and a chi-square test was used to analyze the count data. Results A total of 37,217 cases of cardio-cerebrovascular events were monitored in Yichang in 2022. The crude incidence and the standardized incidence were 983.84/100,000 and 541.55/100,000, respectively. The incidence in males was higher than females (554.93/100,000 vs 428.91/100,000，χ² =464.52，P＜0.05). The top three diseases were cerebral infarction, acute myocardial infarction, and cerebral hemorrhage. The incidence of events increased with age, and 79.80% of the cases were over 60 years old. The main onset time was from May to August. Conclusion The use of the cardio-cerebrovascular events monitoring system in Yichang and the implementation of ^“mandatory reporting card^” monitoring can timely obtain the epidemic characteristics of the diseases, provide support for the precise formulation of prevention and control strategies and measures, reduce underreporting rates, and improve the monitoring system, which is worthy of reference and promotion.

Neuropathic pain, a debilitating condition caused by dysfunction of the somatosensory nervous system, remains difficult to treat due to limited understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Bioinformatics analysis identified cerebellin 2 (CBLN2) as highly enriched in human and murine proprioceptive and nociceptive neurons. We found that CBLN2 expression is persistently upregulated in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) following spinal nerve ligation (SNL) in mice. In addition, transcription factor SOX11 binds to 12 cis-regulatory elements within the Cbln2 promoter to enhance its transcription. SNL also induced SOX11 upregulation, with SOX11 and CBLN2 co-localized in nociceptive neurons. The siRNA-mediated knockdown of Sox11 or Cbln2 attenuated SNL-induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. High-throughput sequencing of DRG following intrathecal injection of CBLN2 revealed widespread gene expression changes, including upregulation of numerous NF-κB downstream targets. Consistently, CBLN2 activated NF-κB signaling, and inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate reduced CBLN2-induced pain hypersensitivity, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines production, and neuronal hyperexcitability. Together, these findings identified the SOX11/CBLN2/NF-κB axis as a critical mediator of neuropathic pain and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
Animals ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Ganglia, Spinal/metabolism* ; Up-Regulation ; Mice ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; SOXC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Male ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Hyperalgesia/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Nerves

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the antidepression mechanisms of Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a classic Chinese prescription, from the perspective of energy metabolism in the brain and intestinal tissues. METHODS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress model-a classic depression rat model-was established. Effects of XYS on behaviors and gastrointestinal motility of depressed rats were investigated. Effects of XYS on energetic charge (EC), adenosine triphosphate-related enzymes, and key enzymes of energy metabolism in both hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography, biochemical analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to construct a correlation network of "behavior-brain energy metabolism-intestinal energy metabolism" of depression. RESULTS: XYS significantly reduced the abnormal behaviors that observed in depressed rats and increased the EC and the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase in hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats. XYS restored the key energetic pathways that had been interrupted by depression, including glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, XYS exhibited antidepressive effects in terms of regulating energy metabolism in tissues of both brain and intestine. CONCLUSION XYS significantly corrected the disturbances in EC and energy metabolism-related enzymes of both brain and intestinal tissues, alleviating both core and concomitant symptoms of depression. The current findings underscore the role of energy metabolism in the antidepressive activity of XYS, providing a fresh perspective on depression, and novel research strategies for revealing the mechanism of actions of traditional Chinese medicines on multi-site and multi-symptom diseases. Please cite this article as: Xiao MT, Wang SY, Wu XL, Zhao ZY, Wang HM, Liu HM, Qin XM, Liu XJ. Antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan: A perspective from energy metabolism of the brain and intestine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):706-720.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism/drug effects* ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies (GWASs) was performed. Genetic correlation and Bayesian co-localization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence. RESULTS: Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. IBD was significantly associated with dementia (risk ratio [ RR] =1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; I ² = 84.8%) and VD ( RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.18-5.70; only one study), but not with AD ( RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.96-4.13; I ² = 99.8%). MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia (dementia: odds ratio [ OR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; AD: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.01; VD: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07). In addition, genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia. CONCLUSION Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk. The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications* ; Dementia/etiology* ; Observational Studies as Topic ; Genome-Wide Association Study

OBJECTIVE: Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection frequently develop central nervous system damage, yet the mechanisms driving this pathology remain unclear. This study investigated the primary pathways and key factors underlying brain tissue damage induced by the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant (lineage B.1.351). METHODS: K18-hACE2 and C57BL/6 mice were intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Viral replication, pathological phenotypes, and brain transcriptomes were analyzed. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to identify altered pathways. Expression changes of host genes were verified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: Pathological alterations were observed in the lungs of both mouse strains. However, only K18-hACE2 mice exhibited elevated viral RNA loads and infectious titers in the brain at 3 days post-infection, accompanied by neuropathological injury and weight loss. GO analysis of infected K18-hACE2 brain tissue revealed significant dysregulation of genes associated with innate immunity and antiviral defense responses, including type I interferons, pro-inflammatory cytokines, Toll-like receptor signaling components, and interferon-stimulated genes. Neuroinflammation was evident, alongside activation of apoptotic and pyroptotic pathways. Furthermore, altered neural cell marker expression suggested viral-induced neuroglial activation, resulting in caspase 4 and lipocalin 2 release and disruption of neuronal molecular networks. CONCLUSION These findings elucidate mechanisms of neuropathogenicity associated with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant and highlight therapeutic targets to mitigate COVID-19-related neurological dysfunction.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Mice ; Brain/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; SARS-CoV-2/physiology* ; Pyroptosis ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Female

AIM To investigate the in vivo pharmacokinetics of chlorogenic acid,isoquercetin,ferulic acid,isorhamnetin and shionone in Asteris Radix et Rhizoma in rats.METHODS Twelve rats were randomly assigned into 2 groups and given intragastric administration of conventional dose(0.63 g/kg)and large dose(3.3 g/kg)of Asteris Radix et Rhizoma extracts,respectively,after which blood collection was made at 0.083,0.167,0.33,0.5,0.75,1,1.5,2,4,6,8,12,24 h,UPLC-MS/MS was adopted in the plasma concentration determination of various effective constituents,and main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated.RESULTS Various effective constituents in the large dose group demonstrated prolonged t1/2,MRT0-∞ as compared with those in the conventional dose group(P＜0.05).After dose correction,Cmax of chlorogenic acid,isoquercetin,shionone in the large dose group displayed no obvious changes(P＞0.05),while Cmax of ferulic acid,isorhamnetin,and AUC0-t,AUC0-∞ of various effective constituents were higher than those in the conventional dose group(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION Various effective constituents in the high dose of Asteris Radix et Rhizoma can maintain high-concentration and long-time effects on rat bladder tissue.

Objective Prepubertal mice are administered subcutaneously with letrozole sustained-release pellets behind the neck and treated with a high-fat diet to establish a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).The liver transcriptomes of the model mice are compared with those of the placebo control mice to investigate the underlying mechanisms of liver involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS.Methods A customized 2 mg dose of letrozole sustained-release pellets with a 40-day release period was used.The control placebo and letrozole pellets were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal cervical region of 3-4-week-old C57BL/6J mice(8 mice per group)to establish the control group and letrozole-induced PCOS model group.Both groups were treated with a high-fat diet starting the day after administration.The modeling period lasted for 5 weeks,during which body weight and 24-hour food intake were monitored in each group every week.When samples were collected,liver weight was recorded.Pathological changes in ovarian and hepatic tissues were examined by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,while hepatic lipid deposition was observed by Oil Red O staining.The extent of macrophage infiltration in the liver was evaluated via F4/80 immunohistochemical staining,and hepatic fibrosis levels were observed by Masson's trichrome staining.Transcriptomic sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in liver tissues between the control and model groups,followed by enrichment analysis of significant DEGs.Quantitative real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(qPCR)was subsequently used to validate the expression of significant DEGs in liver tissues of both groups.Results Compared with the control group,the model group which received subcutaneous letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet exhibited significantly increased body weight(P＜0.001),prominent polycystic ovarian morphology,and significantly decreased liver-to-body weight ratio(P＜0.05).However,no significant changes were observed in absolute liver weight(P＞0.05),hepatic histomorphology,or lipid deposition.Transcriptome sequencing identified 119 upregulated and 217 downregulated DEGs in the liver tissues of letrozole-treated mice,which were predominantly enriched in pathways related to cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis,steroid hormone metabolism,and inflammatory responses.qPCR validation demonstrated that mRNA expression of HSD3B2 and HMGCR was significantly upregulated in liver(P＜0.01),while mRNA expression of IL4,CCL2 and COL1A1 was downregulated(P＜0.05)in the model group compared with the control group.However,Masson's trichrome staining and F4/80 immunohistochemical analysis showed no significant changes in hepatic fibrosis or macrophage infiltration.Conclusion Subcutaneous administration of letrozole sustained-release pellets combined with a high-fat diet successfully establishes a mouse model of PCOS.The model mice exhibited significant changes in hepatic gene expression.Liver may contribute to PCOS pathogenesis through regulating cholesterol and steroid metabolism.