1.The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Runner’s High
Yun-Teng WANG ; Jia-Qi LIANG ; Wan-Tang SU ; Li ZHAO ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):358-373
“Runner’s high” refers to a momentary sense of pleasure that suddenly appears during running or other exercise activities, characterized by anti-anxiety, pain relief, and other symptoms. The neurobiological mechanism of “runner’s high” is unclear. This review summarizes human and animal models for studying “runner’s high”, analyzes the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in runner’s high, and elucidates the evidence and shortcomings of researches related to “runner’s high”. This review also provides prospects for future research. Research has found that exercise lasting more than 30 min and with an intensity exceeding 70% of the maximum heart rate can reach a “runner’s high”. Human experiments on “runner’s high” mostly use treadmill exercise intervention, and evaluate it through questionnaire surveys, measurement of plasma AEA, miRNA and other indicators. Animal experiments often use voluntary wheel running intervention, and evaluate it through behavioral experiments such as conditional place preference, light dark box experiments (anxiety), hot plate experiments (pain sensitivity), and measurement of plasma AEA and other indicators. Dopamine, endogenous opioid peptides, endogenous cannabinoids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and other substances increase after exercise, which may be related to the “runner’s high”. However, attention should be paid to the functional differences of these substances in the central and peripheral regions, as well as in different brain regions. Moreover, current studies have not identified the targets of the neurotransmitters or neural factors mentioned above, and further in-depth researches are needed. The mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens projection, ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens projection, red nucleus-ventral tegmental area projection, cerebellar-ventral tegmental area projection, and brain-gut axis may be involved in the regulation of runner’s high, but there is a lack of direct evidence to prove their involvement. There are still many issues that need to be addressed in the research on the neurobiological mechanisms of “runner’s high”. (1) Most studies on “runner’s high” involve one-time exercise, and the characteristics of changes in “runner’s high” during long-term exercise still need to be explored. (2) The using of scales to evaluate subjects lead to the lacking of objective indicators. However, some potential biomarkers (such as endocannabinoids) have inconsistent characteristics of changes after one-time and long-term exercise. (3) The neurotransmitters involved in the formation of the “runner’s high” all increase in the peripheral and/or central nervous system after exercise. Attention should be paid to whether peripheral substances can enter the blood-brain barrier and the binding effects of neurotransmitters to different receptors are completely different in different brain regions. (4) Most of the current evidence show that some brain regions are activated after exercise. Is there a functional circuit mediating “runner’s high” between these brain regions? (5) Although training at a specific exercise intensity can lead to “runner’s high”, most runners have not experienced “runner’s high”. Can more scientific training methods or technological means be used to make it easier for people to experience the “runner’s high” and thus be more willing to engage in exercise? (6) The “runner’s high” and “addiction” behaviors are extremely similar, and there are evidences that exercise can reverse addictive behaviors. However, why is there still a considerable number of people in the sports population and even athletes who smoke or use addictive drugs instead of pursuing the “pleasure” brought by exercise? Solving the problems above is of great significance for enhancing the desire of exercise, improving the clinical application of neurological and psychiatric diseases through exercise, and enhancing the overall physical fitness of the population.
2.Mechanism of IGF2BP2 regulation of PPAR-γ/GLUT4 pathway in insulin resistance induced by sodium arsenite exposure in HepG2 cells
Shiqing XU ; Zhida HU ; Qiyao ZHANG ; Siqi ZHAO ; Yujie WANG ; Xiaohui WANG ; Teng MA ; Li WANG
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(4):400-407
Background Arsenic is an environmentally harmful substance that causes hepatic insulin resistance and liver damage, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective To explore whether the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is involved in insulin resistance in HepG2 cells after arsenic exposure through the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) / glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) pathway. Methods Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and an appropriate NaAsO2 infection dose was determined. A cellular arsenic exposure model of HepG2 cells was established by four concentrations of NaAsO2 solution for 24 h (the experiment was divided into four groups: 0, 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L−1); HepG2 cells were firstly treated with pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 and pcDNA3.1-NC respectively for 6 h, then with 8 μmol·L−1 NaAsO2 for 24 h to establish a IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model (the experiment was divided into 4 groups: control, NaAsO2, NaAsO2+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2, and NaAsO2+pcDNA3.1-NC); finally the cells were subject to 100 nmol·L−1 insulin stimulation for 30 min. Glycogen and glucose in HepG2 cells were determined by glycogen and glucose assay kits; mRNA expression levels of IGF2BP2 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR; protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in HepG2 were detected by Western blot (WB); and the binding of IGF2BP2 to PPAR-γ and PPAR-γ to GLUT4 was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) experiment. Results The results of CCK8 experiment showed a dose-effect relationship between NaAsO2 concentration and cell viability. When the concentration of NaAsO2 was ≥4 μmol·L−1 , the cell viabilities were lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). With the increasing dose of NaAsO2 infection, reduced glucose consumption and glycogen levels in HepG2 cells were found in the 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L−1 NaAsO2 treatment groups compared to the control group (P <0.05). The difference between the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 in the HepG2 cells treated with 4 or 8 μmol L−1 NaAsO2 and the control group was significant (P <0.05). In the IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model, compared with the control group, glucose consumption and glycogen levels were lowered in the NaAsO2 group (P <0.05), the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all decreased (P <0.05). Compared with the NaAsO2 group, the glucose consumption and glycogen levels were increased in the NaAsO2+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 group (P <0.05), and the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all increased (P <0.05). The results of CO-IP experiments showed that IGF2BP2 interacted with PPAR-γ as well as PPAR-γ with GLUT4 protein. Conclusion IGF2BP2 is involved in arsenic exposure-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by acting on the PPAR-γ/GLUT4 pathway.
3.Real-world efficacy and safety of azvudine in hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 during the omicron wave in China: A retrospective cohort study.
Yuanchao ZHU ; Fei ZHAO ; Yubing ZHU ; Xingang LI ; Deshi DONG ; Bolin ZHU ; Jianchun LI ; Xin HU ; Zinan ZHAO ; Wenfeng XU ; Yang JV ; Dandan WANG ; Yingming ZHENG ; Yiwen DONG ; Lu LI ; Shilei YANG ; Zhiyuan TENG ; Ling LU ; Jingwei ZHU ; Linzhe DU ; Yunxin LIU ; Lechuan JIA ; Qiujv ZHANG ; Hui MA ; Ana ZHAO ; Hongliu JIANG ; Xin XU ; Jinli WANG ; Xuping QIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Tingting ZHENG ; Chunxia YANG ; Xuguang CHEN ; Kun LIU ; Huanhuan JIANG ; Dongxiang QU ; Jia SONG ; Hua CHENG ; Wenfang SUN ; Hanqiu ZHAN ; Xiao LI ; Yafeng WANG ; Aixia WANG ; Li LIU ; Lihua YANG ; Nan ZHANG ; Shumin CHEN ; Jingjing MA ; Wei LIU ; Xiaoxiang DU ; Meiqin ZHENG ; Liyan WAN ; Guangqing DU ; Hangmei LIU ; Pengfei JIN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(1):123-132
Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T NANC), time to symptom improvement (T SI), and time of hospital stay (T HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.
4.Expert Consensus on Clinical Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine: Perimenopausal Syndrome
Shiwan HU ; Haiyan LIANG ; Kun MA ; Xiaona MA ; Zihan FANG ; Wenpei BAI ; Xinmin LIU ; Hongtian LI ; Fengmei LIAN ; Wei ZHANG ; Lihua QIN ; Min SHANG ; Ailuan LAI ; Xiuxiang TENG ; Mei MO ; Xiaoxiao ZHANG ; Linhua ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(21):234-242
Perimenopausal syndrome (MPS), a common endocrine system disease, is one of the diseases responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The China Association of Chinese Medicine organized experts in endocrinology, gynecology, and interdisciplinary fields of both Western and Chinese medicine to discuss the advantages and challenges of diagnosing and treating MPS with Western medicine, TCM, and integrative medicine. Experts at the conference believe that MPS is initiated by estrogen decline and rooted in deficiency, with the pathogenesis being imbalance between Yin and Yang in the kidney. The hormone replacement therapy in Western medicine for menopause can rapidly alleviate related symptoms by quickly restoring the estrogen level and timely detect and delay complications of menopause, whereas such a therapy has certain risks, necessitating close monitoring of adverse reactions. Moreover, the various contraindications and precautions limit the clinical application of the hormone replacement therapy. TCM has advantages in synergistically alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, sleep disorders, and emotional abnormalities of MPS without causing obvious adverse reactions. However, its efficacy is slower than the hormone replacement therapy, and the TCM evidence for preventing and treating complications of menopause remains unclear. Three suggestions were proposed for the future development of both Western and TCM for ameliorating MPS. First, an integrated diagnosis and treatment system for MPS with both Western and Chinese medicine should be established. Second, high-quality evidence-based interventions for MPS should be developed with TCM alone or in combination with Western medicine. Third, efforts should be made to promote the new TCM drug development and the interdisciplinary cooperation for treating MPS.
5.Impact of a history of novel coronavirus infection on the clinical characteristics of children with rhinovirus infection
Shu TENG ; Zhenghong QI ; Wen LI ; Huaping WANG ; Shiyong ZHAO ; Mengfei YU
Chinese Journal of Experimental and Clinical Virology 2024;38(5):564-569
Objective:This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of children infected with rhinovirus in the context of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and to explore the impact of recent COVID-19 infection history on their clinical features.Methods:Clinical data and laboratory test result of 286 children diagnosed with rhinovirus infection at Hangzhou Children′s Hospital from July 2022 to October 2023 were collected. A retrospective survey was conducted to determine whether all study participants had a history of COVID-19 infection within the 6 months prior to hospitalization.Results:Among the 286 children with rhinovirus infection, 180 (62.94%) had simple rhinovirus infection, while 106 (37.06%) had co-infections with other pathogens; Among the 180 rhinovirus simplex-positive children, 56.67% had wheezing symptoms; among them, 15 cases (15/180, 8.33%) were diagnosed with acute asthma attacks; 7 cases (7/180, 3.88%) were diagnosed with severe pneumonia. Based on whether the children had a history of COVID-19 infection in the 6 months prior to hospitalization, they were divided into a group with previous COVID-19 infection and a group without previous COVID-19 infection. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of gender, age of onset, peak fever, incidence of wheezing, incidence of pneumonia, proportion of severe pneumonia, proportion of severe asthma attacks, duration of fever, time to relief of wheezing, length of stay, white blood cell count, eosinophil count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, immunoglobulin E, oxygen therapy requirements, and use of intravenous steroids ( P>0.05). Conclusions:A history of COVID-19 infection in the past 6 months does not exacerbate the clinical symptoms of children with rhinovirus infection, nor does it increase the incidence of wheezing.
6.Scutellarin inhibitting BV-2 microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon gene pathway
Zhao-Da DUAN ; Li YANG ; Hao-Lun CHEN ; Teng-Teng LIU ; Li-Yang ZHENG ; Dong-Yao XU ; Chun-Yun WU
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2024;55(2):133-142
Objective To explore the effect of scutellarin on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)induced neuroinflammation in BV-2 microglia cells.Methods BV-2 microglia were cultured and randomly divided into 6 groups:control group(Ctrl),cyclic GMP-AMP synthetase(cGAS)inhibitor RU320521 group(RU.521 group),LPS group,LPS+RU.521 group,LPS+scutellarin pretreatment group(LPS+S)and LPS+S+RU.521 group.The expressions of cGAS,stimulator of interferon gene(STING),nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB),phosphorylated NF-κB(p-NF-κB),neuroinflammatory factors PYD domains-containing protein 3(NLRP3)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in BV-2 microglia were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescent double staining(n= 3).Results Western blotting and immunofluorescent double staining showed that compared with the control group,the expression of cGAS,STING,p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and TNF-α in BV-2 microglia increased significantly after LPS induction(P<0.05),while the expression of cGAS,STING,p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and TNF-α in LPS+S group were significantly lower than those in LPS group(P<0.05).Treatment with cGAS pathway inhibitor RU.521 showed similar effects as the pre-treatment group with scutellarin.In addition,the change of NF-κB in each group was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Scutellarin inhibits the neuroinflammation mediated by BV-2 microglia cells,which may be related to cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
7.Comparison of initial stability of mandibular first molar repaired with different threaded implants under immediate loading
Xinru LI ; Wenbo ZHAO ; Yan JI ; Weiwei TENG ; Yiming WANG ; Libo ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(22):3445-3450
BACKGROUND:The threaded conical implant has a good ability to control micro movements and is conducive to immediate loading.However,the effects of double-threaded conical cylindrical implants and conical cylindrical implants on stress distribution and initial stability of implant-bone interface after immediate loading have not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the impact of double-threaded conical cylindrical implants and conical cylindrical implants on the biological distribution of the implant and the surrounding bone interface during immediate loading in the mandibular molar region. METHODS:(1)Three-dimensional finite element analysis:Conical beam CT scans of the mandible and first molar of a volunteer were used to develop a basal model of the mandible.The double-threaded conical cylindrical implants and conical cylindrical implants were assembled with the mandibular models,and an immediate-load(or delayed implantation)implant model(a total of four models)for the first mandibular molar was established.Loads in four directions(100 N):axial,lingual and buccal 45°,mesial and distal,and buccal and lingual,were applied to the central fossa of each model's crown.Three-dimensional finite element method was used to analyze the implant displacement and the stress distribution at the implant-bone interface.(2)In vitro experiment:With the assistance of the oral implant robot,the double-threaded conical cylindrical implants and conical cylindrical implants were implanted on the same artificial bone pieces,separately,and the immediate load model of immediate implant implantation(or delayed implantation)was established in vitro(a total of four groups of models).Osstell resonance frequency analyzer and SmartPeg sensor were used to measure the implant stability coefficient in four vertical directions:front,rear,left,and right measurements,evaluate the initial stability,and verify the finite element analysis results. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The displacement difference between double-threaded conical cylindrical implants and conical cylindrical implants was small when the immediate loading of delayed implantation was applied,but the maximum stress value of conical cylindrical implant-bone interface was greater than that of double-threaded conical cylindrical implant-bone interface.When the immediate loading of immediate implantation was applied,the maximum stress value and the maximum displacement of bone around the implant appeared when the load was applied in mesiodistal direction.The stress value of the conical cylindrical implant reached 298.84 MPa and the maximum displacement was 0.31 mm,both of which were larger than that of the double-threaded conical cylindrical implant.(2)The results of in vitro experiments showed that the stability coefficient of the double-threaded conical cylindrical implant was greater than that of the conical cylindrical implant.(3)Compared with the conical cylindrical implant,the double-threaded conical cylindrical implant has higher initial stability under immediate loading,suggesting that the use of double-threaded conical cylindrical implant should be given priority in clinical immediate loading.
8.Association between 24 h activity behaviors and physical health among primary school students in Tianjin
TANG Yi, LU Donglei, TONG Li, TENG Jianqiang, ZHAO Yanan, CAO Liquan
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(12):1713-1717
Objective:
To analyze the association of 24 h activity behaviors and physical health of primary school students, so as to provide a reference for promoting the physical health of children and adolescents.
Methods:
From May to June, 2023, by stratified random sampling method, 583 primary school students aged 7-12 were selected from Tianjin for physical health examination. ActiGraph GT3X+ was used to measure their 24 h activity behaviors for 7 d, and their mental health and 24 h activity behaviors were analyzed by gender and grade. LASSO regression was applied for assessing the impact of 24 h activity on their health.
Results:
The compliance rate of seated forward bending (93.12%) were higher in boys than girls (91.86%), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ 2=4.53, P <0.05). Sleep time ( β =0.06), light intensity physical activity (LPA) time ( β =0.11), and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time ( β =0.14) were positively correlated with physical fitness, whereas sedentary behavior (SB) time ( β =-0.08) were negatively correlated with physical fitness, and MVPA time had a positive effect on physical health of children and adolescents, followed by LPA time; while sleep time also had a positive effect , and SB time had a negative effect ( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Primary school students are generally faced with low physical activity level and high SB time, and MVPA and LPA have a significant impact on physical health. Therefore, it is crucial to develop personalized and differentiated physical activity promotion policies and interventions for primary school students with different classmates and gender.
9.Glycated haemoglobin A1c predicts the mortality risk in patients with influenza pneumonia
Fei TENG ; Ziyi LI ; Haiyang ZHAO ; Daorong LI ; Xinhua HE
Chinese Journal of Emergency Medicine 2024;33(6):809-813
Objective:To investigate whether glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) can be used as a predictor of mortality risk in patients with influenza pneumonia.Methods:This study was a single-center retrospective study, and enrolled patients with influenza pneumonia in the Emergency Department and in-patient departments of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from 2017 to 2019. Gender, age, underlying diseases, influenza virus nucleic acid or antigen results, chest X-ray or chest CT reports, routine blood test, biochemical indicators, HbA1c and procalcitonin (PCT) were collected, and all subjects were divided into survival and death groups based on 28-day mortality. The differences between the two groups were compared and Cox regression was used to analyze risk factors for 28-day mortality.Results:In this study, 122 patients with influenza pneumonia were included, and 94 (77.0%) cases were divided into the survival group and 28 (23.0%) cases into the death group. Univariate analysis showed that lymphocyte counts [0.49 (0.33, 0.73) vs. 0.77 (0.49, 1.23) ×10 9/L, Z= -3.008, P=0.003] were lower and HbA1c levels [6.5 (6.1, 7.1) vs. 6.1 (5.7, 6.8) %, Z= 2.203, P= 0.028] and PCT levels [0.64 (0.20, 6.43) vs. 0.16 (0.05, 0.87) μg/L, Z=2.594, P=0.009] were higher in dead patients compared with those in the survivors. Cox multivariate regression and survival analysis found that after adjusting for age, lymphocyte counts ( HR=0.260, 95% CI: 0.087-0.773, P=0.015) and HbA1c levels ( HR=1.295, 95% CI:1.007-1.666, P=0.044) were independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. Conclusions:HbA1c is an independent risk factor for predicting 28-day mortality in patients with influenza pneumonia.
10.Investigation on vehicle occupant dummy applicability for under-foot impact loading conditions
Teng-Fei TIAN ; Fu-Hao MO ; Hao-Yang SU ; Can HUANG ; Hui ZHAO ; Jun LIU ; Bo SHANG ; Kui LI ; Jin-Long QIU
Chinese Journal of Traumatology 2024;27(4):235-241
Purpose::Under-foot impact loadings can cause serious lower limb injuries in many activities, such as automobile collisions and underbody explosions to military vehicles. The present study aims to compare the biomechanical responses of the mainstream vehicle occupant dummies with the human body lower limb model and analyze their robustness and applicability for assessing lower limb injury risk in underfoot impact loading environments.Methods::The Hybrid III model, the test device for human occupant restraint (THOR) model, and a hybrid human body model with the human active lower limb model were adopted for under-foot impact analysis regarding different impact velocities and initial lower limb postures.Results::The results show that the 2 dummy models have larger peak tibial axial force and higher sensitivity to the impact velocities and initial postures than the human lower limb model. In particular, the Hybrid III dummy model presented extremely larger peak tibial axial forces than the human lower limb model. In the case of minimal difference in tibial axial force, Hybrid III's tibial axial force (7.5 KN) is still 312.5% that of human active lower limb's (2.4 KN). Even with closer peak tibial axial force values, the biomechanical response curve shapes of the THOR model show significant differences from the human lower limb model.Conclusion::Based on the present results, the Hybrid III dummy cannot be used to evaluate the lower limb injury risk in under-foot loading environments. In contrast, potential improvement in ankle biofidelity and related soft tissues of the THOR dummy can be implemented in the future for better applicability.


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