This study aims to explore the neuroprotective effect of bilobalide(BB) and the mechanisms such as inhibiting inflammatory response in macrophage/microglia, promoting neurotrophic factor secretion, and interfering with the activation and differentiation of peripheral CD4~+ T cells. BB of different concentration(12.5, 25, 50, 100 μg·mL~(-1)) was used to treat the RAW264.7 and BV2 cells for 24 h. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) were employed to detect the cytotoxicity of BB and appropriate concentration was selected for further experiment. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was applied to elicit inflammation in RAW264.7 and BV2 cells, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs), and primary microglia, respectively. The effect of BB on cell proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Spleen monocytes of C57BL/6 female mice(7-8 weeks old) were isolated, and CD4~+ T cells were separated by magnetic beads under sterile conditions. Th17 cells were induced by CD3/CD28 and the conditioned medium for eliciting the inflammation in BMDMs. The content of IL-17 cytokines in the supernatant was detected by ELISA to determine the effect on the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells. In addition, PC12 cells were incubated with the conditioned medium for eliciting inflammation in BMDMs and primary microglia and the count and morphology of cells were observed. The cytoto-xicity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay. The result showed that BB with the concentration of 12.5-100 μg·mL~(-1) had no toxicity to RAW264.7 and BV2 cells, and had no significant effect on the activity of cell model with low inflammation. The 50 μg·mL~(-1) BB was selected for further experiment, and the results indicated that BB inhibited LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The experiment on CD4~+ T cells showed that the conditioned medium for LPS-induced inflammation in BMDMs promoted the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells, while the conditioned medium of the experimental group with BB intervention reduced the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells. In addition, BB also enhanced the release of neurotrophic factors from BMDMs and primary microglia. The conditioned medium after BB intervention can significantly reduce the death of PC12 neurons, inhibit neuronal damage, and protect neurons. To sum up, BB plays a neuroprotective role by inhibiting macrophage and microglia-mediated inflammatory response and promoting neurotrophic factors.
Female ; Rats ; Mice ; Animals ; Bilobalides/pharmacology* ; Neuroprotection ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Microglia ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

Suicide is a complex phenomenon resulting from interactions between individual vulnerabilities and socio-environmental factors. The current review primarily focuses on research into the serotonin system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotrophic factors, lipid metabolism, and functional neuroimaging studies. It has been found that dysfunctions in the serotonin system, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis abnormalities, and low brain-derived neurotrophic factor and cholesterol levels may be linked to suicide. Additionally, recent neuroimaging studies have suggested that structural and functional abnormalities in brain areas related to cognitive and emotional regulation may be associated with suicide. More research incorporating advanced methodological approaches may shed further light on the neurobiological basis of suicide.
Brain ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Cholesterol ; Functional Neuroimaging ; Lipid Metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neurobiology ; Neuroimaging ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Serotonin ; Suicide

The development of a cerebral organoid culture in vitro offers an opportunity to generate human brain-like organs to investigate mechanisms of human disease that are specific to the neurogenesis of radial glial (RG) and outer radial glial (oRG) cells in the ventricular zone (VZ) and subventricular zone (SVZ) of the developing neocortex. Modeling neuronal progenitors and the organization that produces mature subcortical neuron subtypes during early stages of development is essential for studying human brain developmental diseases. Several previous efforts have shown to grow neural organoid in culture dishes successfully, however we demonstrate a new paradigm that recapitulates neocortical development process with VZ, OSVZ formation and the lamination organization of cortical layer structure. In addition, using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with dysfunction of the Aspm gene from a primary microcephaly patient, we demonstrate neurogenesis defects result in defective neuronal activity in patient organoids, suggesting a new strategy to study human developmental diseases in central nerve system.
Action Potentials ; physiology ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Embryoid Bodies ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Lateral Ventricles ; cytology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Microcephaly ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Models, Biological ; Mutation ; Neocortex ; cytology ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; deficiency ; genetics ; Neurogenesis ; genetics ; Neurons ; cytology ; metabolism ; Organoids ; cytology ; metabolism ; PAX6 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Zonula Occludens-1 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the expression of midkine (MK) and microvessel density (MVD) in patients with salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) and its clinical significance, as well as detect the correlation between the expression of MK and MVD in SACC.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry analysis (SP method) for MK and MVD were performed on 60 cases of SACC and 26 cases of normal salivary gland tissue. The expression of MK and MVD, as well as the correlation between the expression of MK and MVD in SACC were detected.

RESULTSIn SACC, the MK expression rate was 70.0% (42/60), and MK was not expressed in normal tissue. Statistical significance was found between SACC and normal tissue (P<0.05). The MVD values in SACC and normal salivary gland tissues were 38.73 +/- 8.96 and 11.15 +/- 3.33, respectively. These values were statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of MK and MVD were unrelated to age, gender, and type in SACC (P>0.05), but correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and tumor-node-metastasis in SACC (P<0.05). The expression of MK and MVD was positively correlated with SACC (r=0.560, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSACC is correlated with the expression of MK protein and the increase in MVD, which may be some of the early diagnostic markers in SACC.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cytokines ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Microvessels ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Salivary Glands ; enzymology

The effects of the balance changes of pigment epithelium growth factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in whole-body and retinal tissue on rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy were investigated. Forty-eight neonatal SD rats at the age of 7 days were randomly divided into 4 groups. The neonatal rats in experimental groups were exposed to 75% to 80% oxygen for 5 days and then to normal air, and those in control groups were kept feeding in normal air. At the age of 17 and 22 days, all the neonatal rats received retina angiography with FITC-dextran and the pathological changes of retinal vessels and perfusion were observed. HE staining of the tissue section and the number counting of endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were performed to evaluate the endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF in retinal tissue, and ELISA to detect their expression in serum. A hypoxic-ischemic proliferation of retina and more endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were found in the neonatal rats in both experimental groups of 17-day old and 22-day old as compared with those in control group with the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). VEGF staining of the rats in the 17-day old experimental group was significantly stronger, with an increasing positive rate, than that of the rats in the 17-day old control group (P<0.01). PEDF staining of the rats of 22 days old was weaker than that of the rats of 17 days old in the experimental groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum VEGF concentration among all groups (P>0.05). The serum PEDF concentration in the rats of 17 days old in experimental group was decreased significantly as compared with that in the rats of 17 days old in control group (P<0.01), and in experimental groups, the serum PEDF concentration of the rats of 22 days old was increased as compared with that of the rats of 17 days old (P<0.01). In conclusion, the obviously decreased serum PEDF concentration and the abnormal enhanced expression of VEGF density in local retinal tissue broke down the balance of PEDF/VEGF in whole-body or local tissues, which might play an important role in retinal vascular proliferation.
Animals ; Eye Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; metabolism ; Retinal Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Serpins ; blood ; metabolism ; Time and Motion Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; metabolism

PURPOSE: The expression of nerve growth factor-beta (NGF-beta) is related to cardiac nerve sprouting and sympathetic hyper innervation. We investigated the changes of plasma levels of NGF-beta and the relationship to follow-up heart rate variability (HRV) after radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 147 patients with AF (117 men, 55.8+/-11.5 years, 106 paroxysmal AF) who underwent RFCA. The plasma levels of NGF-beta were quantified using double sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method before (NGF-beta(pre)) and 1 hour after RFCA (NGF-beta(post-1hr)). HRV at pre-procedure (HRV(pre)), 3 months (HRV(post-3mo)), and 1 year post-procedure (HRV(post-1yr)) were analyzed and compared with plasma levels of NGF-beta. RESULTS: 1) The plasma levels of NGF-beta significantly increased after RFCA (20.05+/-11.09 pg/mL vs. 29.60+/-19.43 pg/mL, p<0.001). The patients who did not show increased NGF-beta(post-1hr) were older (p=0.023) and had greater left atrial volume index (p=0.028) than those with increased NGF-beta(post-1hr). 2) In patients with NGF-beta(pre) >18 pg/mL, low frequency components (LF)/high-frequency components (HF) (p=0.003) and the number of atrial premature contractions (APCs, p=0.045) in HRV(post-3mo) were significantly higher than those with < or =18 pg/mL. 3) The LF/HF at HRV(post-3mo) was linearly associated with the NGF-beta(pre) (B=4.240, 95% CI 1.114-7.336, p=0.008) and the NGF-beta(post-1hr) (B=7.617, 95% CI 2.106-13.127, p=0.007). 4) Both NGF-beta(pre) (OR=1.159, 95% CI 1.045-1.286, p=0.005) and NGF-beta(post-1hr) (OR=1.098, 95% CI 1.030-1.170, p=0.004) were independent predictors for the increase of LF/HF at HRV(post-3mo). CONCLUSION: AF catheter ablation increases plasma level of NGF-beta, and high plasma levels of NGF-beta(pre) was associated with higher sympathetic nerve activity and higher frequency of APCs in HRV(post-3mo).
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology/*surgery ; Catheter Ablation/*methods ; Female ; *Heart Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/*metabolism ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of S100B and glial tibrillory acidic protein (GFAP) atter primary brainstem injury in rat and discuss the changes with brainstern injury time and their mechanism in the injury. METHODS: The brainstem injury animal model was established using the mechanical impacting method. The HE staining, Gless argentaffin staining and SP immunohistochemical method were applied to observe the changes of S100B and GFAP at different injury time. The immunostaining results were measured statistically with imaging analysis technology. RESULTS: A large number of S100B positive cells could be seen in 30 min. Afterward, expression increased gradually with time and peaked up in 24 h, and reversed back the normal in 72h. The GFAP positive cells showed rise continually in 30 min, and reached the peak in 48 h, then started to decrease, but still higher than that in control. CONCLUSION The expression of S100B and GFAP is correlated with post traumatic intervals after brainstem injury in rat, and may be useful in estimation post traumatic intervals and nerve regeneration.
Animals ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Brain Stem/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Neuroglia ; Rats ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit/metabolism* ; S100 Proteins

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 and ghrelin in the gastric mucosa of rats with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and its significance.

METHODSThe IUGR animal model was established by feeding rats low-protein diets during their pregnancy. Newborn rats were divided into catch-up growth, non-catch-up growth and control groups. Protein and mRNA levels of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 and ghrelin in the gastric mucosa of rats were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively.

RESULTSNesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA and protein were expressed in the gastric mucosa of rats immediately after birth, and their expression increased in an age-dependent manner in all three groups. Furthermore, the level of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in the catch-up growth group was higher than that in the control group before weaning, whereas there was no significant difference in nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression between the two groups after weaning. The level of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in the non-catch-up growth group was lower than that in the catch-up growth group during the whole observation period. The level of ghrelin in the catch-up growth group was higher than that in the control group starting from day 12 after birth, whereas there was no significant difference in ghrelin expression between the two groups after weaning. The level of ghrelin in the non-catch-up growth group was lower compared with those in the catch-up growth and control groups from days 12 to 28 after birth.

CONCLUSIONSNesfatin-1 and ghrelin are co-expressed in the gastric mucosa of rats with IUGR after birth and interact with each other to produce long-term nutritional regulation.

Age Factors ; Animals ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; metabolism ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; Ghrelin ; analysis ; genetics ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of midkine (MK) and Ki67 in gastric carcinoma (GC) and their relation with the clinicopathologic characteristics.

METHODSThe expressions of MK and Ki67 in 71 GC and 20 adjacent normal tissues were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe expressions of MK and Ki67 were significantly higher in GC than in adjacent normal tissues (76.1% vs 0, and 73.2% vs 5%, respectively, P<0.05). MK and Ki67 expressions were correlated with the infiltration depth, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage (P<0.05), and a significant correlation was found between MK and Ki67 expressions (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGC tissues have high expressions of MK and Ki67, indicating that MK and Ki67 play important roles in promoting the tumorigenesis and progression of GC.

Cytokines ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThe common pathological characteristics of corneal injury include inflammatory factors activation, vascular endothelial cells or inflammatory cells infiltration into lesions, corneal edema, corneal neovascularization (CNV), and scar formation. PEDF-34 is the functional fragment of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) that has anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties and contains an N-terminal 34-amino acid peptide. This study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of PEDF-34 on H2O2-induced corneal injury in vitro.

METHODSAfter cultured in H2O2 (0.1 mmol/L) for 2 hours, human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with PEDF-34-nanoparticles (NPs) at different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 µg/ml) or 2.0 µg/ml control-NPs for 24 hours. The viable cells were quantified using the MTT assay. Western blotting or ELISA analysis was performed for measuring the human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression of both HCFs and HUVECs. VEGF and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) mRNA levels of HCFs were semi-quantified by RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe survival rates of HCFs or HUVECs stimulated by H2O2 did not decrease significantly (P > 0.05) compared to those in the normal conditions. As compared to control-NP group, PEDF-34-NPs had dose-dependent inhibitive effect on HUVECs with the MTT assay, but not HCFs. Western blotting analysis showed that the VEGF and ICAM-1 levels in the HCFs and HUVECs stimulated by H2O2 were significantly higher than those in the normal conditions, which were decreased dramatically in those treated with PEDF-34-NPs. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the VEGF mRNA and NF-κB mRNA levels increased in H2O2-stimulated HCFs, while both of them decreased in PEDF-34-NP groups dose dependently.

CONCLUSIONSPEDF-34-NPs may play an important role in regulating the NF-κB pathway, inhibiting inflammatory activity. PEDF-34-NPs may be a potential new drug for treating corneal injury in the future.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Corneal Injuries ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Eye Proteins ; chemistry ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Nerve Growth Factors ; chemistry ; Peptides ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Serpins ; chemistry