1.Association between thyroid function and osteoporosis:genome-wide data analysis of European populations
Hao ZENG ; Pengcheng SUN ; Yuan CHAI ; Yourong HUANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Xiaoyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1019-1027
BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a strong association between thyroid function and its related disorders and osteoporosis,but the causal relationship is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the causal relationship between genetically predicted thyroid function and its associated disorders,as well as osteoporosis,through the Mendelian randomization analysis with extensive pooled genetic data.METHODS:Pooled data from genome-wide association studies were employed to investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function and its associated disorders and osteoporosis.This was achieved through the utilization of the inverse variance weighting method as the primary Mendelian randomization analysis method,in conjunction with the MR-Egger method,weighted median method,simple model method,and weighted model method.A two-step mediated Mendelian randomization analysis was used to calculate the mediating effect of drug-mediated thyroid dysfunction on osteoporosis and the mediating proportion.Subsequently,sensitivity analyses were conducted using the MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO to detect multiplicity,Cochran's Q test to detect heterogeneity,and leave-one-out to perform sensitivity analyses.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of the inverse variance weighting method showed that thyroid function had an effect on bone mineral density,and that thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine on bone mineral density,free thyroxine,and subclinical hyperthyroidism all had a causal effect on bone mineral density.(2)In addition,mediation analyses revealed a potential mediating effect of carbimazole in the causal relationship between hyperthyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis,as well as a potential mediating effect of levothyroxine sodium in the causal relationship between hypothyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis.(3)In conclusion,thyrotropin,which is high in the normal range,has been demonstrated to increase bone mineral density.Conversely,free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine,which are also high within the normal range,as well as subclinical hyperthyroidism,have been shown to decrease bone mineral density.The risk of developing osteoporosis is partially mediated by the pathway of taking the therapeutic medication in the context of pharmacologic treatment of thyroid dysfunction.(4)The present study primarily focuses on European population data.However,given the commonality of the genetic background and the generalizability of genome-wide data analysis methods,it is of significant importance to explore the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the Chinese population,develop effective interventions,and provide genetic counseling.
2.Association between thyroid function and osteoporosis:genome-wide data analysis of European populations
Hao ZENG ; Pengcheng SUN ; Yuan CHAI ; Yourong HUANG ; Chi ZHANG ; Xiaoyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2026;30(4):1019-1027
BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a strong association between thyroid function and its related disorders and osteoporosis,but the causal relationship is unclear.OBJECTIVE:To ascertain the causal relationship between genetically predicted thyroid function and its associated disorders,as well as osteoporosis,through the Mendelian randomization analysis with extensive pooled genetic data.METHODS:Pooled data from genome-wide association studies were employed to investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function and its associated disorders and osteoporosis.This was achieved through the utilization of the inverse variance weighting method as the primary Mendelian randomization analysis method,in conjunction with the MR-Egger method,weighted median method,simple model method,and weighted model method.A two-step mediated Mendelian randomization analysis was used to calculate the mediating effect of drug-mediated thyroid dysfunction on osteoporosis and the mediating proportion.Subsequently,sensitivity analyses were conducted using the MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO to detect multiplicity,Cochran's Q test to detect heterogeneity,and leave-one-out to perform sensitivity analyses.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of the inverse variance weighting method showed that thyroid function had an effect on bone mineral density,and that thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine on bone mineral density,free thyroxine,and subclinical hyperthyroidism all had a causal effect on bone mineral density.(2)In addition,mediation analyses revealed a potential mediating effect of carbimazole in the causal relationship between hyperthyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis,as well as a potential mediating effect of levothyroxine sodium in the causal relationship between hypothyroidism and the risk of developing osteoporosis.(3)In conclusion,thyrotropin,which is high in the normal range,has been demonstrated to increase bone mineral density.Conversely,free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine,which are also high within the normal range,as well as subclinical hyperthyroidism,have been shown to decrease bone mineral density.The risk of developing osteoporosis is partially mediated by the pathway of taking the therapeutic medication in the context of pharmacologic treatment of thyroid dysfunction.(4)The present study primarily focuses on European population data.However,given the commonality of the genetic background and the generalizability of genome-wide data analysis methods,it is of significant importance to explore the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in the Chinese population,develop effective interventions,and provide genetic counseling.
3.Facial and tongue features in traditional Chinese medicine for coronary artery stenosis warning and their association chain with cardiac biomarkers
Yu Wang ; Pengcheng Ding ; Zhentao Li ; Jiyu Zhang ; Liping Tu ; Jijie Xu ; Jiatuo Xu
Digital Chinese Medicine 2026;9(2):184-196
Objective:
To explore whether digital facial and tongue diagnostic technologies can support the assessment of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients for coronary artery stenosis severity, and examine potential associations between digital tongue diagnosis features and myocardial biomarkers.
Methods:
The TFDA-1 face and tongue diagnosis instrument and the TDAS analysis system were used to perform intelligent visual examination and analysis of the facial and tongue in CHD patients who attended the Department of Cardiology at Shanghai Baoshan Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between October 2, 2023 and July 31, 2024. Variables were screened using principal component analysis (PCA) and multicollinearity analysis to construct four machine learning models, including random forest, LightGBM, decision tree, and naive Bayes, for the early prediction of coronary artery stenosis severity. Model performance metrics, including sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1 score, accuracy, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), were evaluated. Visual analyses were performed using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) interpreter and decision curve analysis. For patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a conceptual model linking cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis was constructed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), and its validity was assessed.
Results:
A total of 459 CHD patients were enrolled and assigned to a PCI group and a non-PCI group (which comprised two subgroups: mild stenosis or less group, moderate stenosis or greater group). For sublingual vein (SV) features, the PCI group had lower SV-a and SV-b than the other groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). For tongue surface features, the PCI group had significantly higher tongue body (TB)-L, TB-a, and TB-b (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.001, respectively), as well as higher tongue coating (TC)-a and TC-b (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Age, SV-a, SV-b, creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), CK, TC-a, lip-L, and lip-b were incorporated in the machine learning models. The random forest model performed best, with an AUC of 0.924, an F1 score of 0.839, precision of 0.807, accuracy of 0.864, sensitivity of 0.873, and specificity of 0.839. Decision curve analysis indicated that both LightGBM and random forest had clinical utility. PLS-SEM confirmed the pathway relationships: myocardial biomarkers → TB and myocardial biomarkers → TC (coefficient = – 0.238, t = 2.239, P = 0.025, and coefficient = – 0.270, t = 2.522, P = 0.012, respectively).
Conclusion
This study developed a noninvasive early warning model for coronary artery stenosis in patients with CHD. It applied PLS-SEM to investigate the association between post-PCI cardiac biomarkers and tongue diagnosis, and validated the proposed association chain. These findings suggest that intelligent traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) visual diagnosis integrated with modern digital technology may support CHD risk assessment and comprehensive health management.
4.Clinical Study on Tongfu Xiere Quyu Shuli Prescription in the Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia of Spleen and Stomach Damp-Heat and Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis Type
Mingli WANG ; Pengcheng SONG ; Haiyan ZHANG ; Ling ZHOU ; Weiguo ZHAO ; Nannan WANG ; Na YANG
Journal of Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;41(7):961-968
OBJECTIVE To study the clinical efficacy of Professor Li Bingmao's Tongfu Xiere Quyu Shuli Prescription in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia(FD)of spleen and stomach damp-heat and qi stagnation and blood stasis type.METH-ODS A total of 206 patients with functional dyspepsia of spleen and stomach damp-heat and qi stagnation and blood stasis type diag-nosed by Hengshui People's Hospital were included in the study and randomly divided into a study group and a control group with 103 cases in each group.During the treatment,3 cases dropped out in each group.The control group adopted the conventional Western medicine treatment plan for functional dyspepsia(mosapride+rabeprazole),and the study group took Tongfu Xiere Quyu Shuli Pre-scription on the basis of the treatment of the control group.The treatment course of both groups was 4 weeks.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,psychological status[self-rating anxiety scale(SAS),self-rating depression scale(SDS),and quality of life[Nepean dyspepsia life quality index(NDLQI)of the two groups of patients before and after treatment were observed and the clinical efficacy was evaluated;serum motilin(MTL),ghrelin,gastrin(GAS),corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)and pep-sinogen(PG Ⅰ,PG Ⅱ)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;changes in gastric motility indexes were analyzed by electrogastrogram analyzer;changes in intestinal flora were detected by instillation method.The occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups of patients was monitored during treatment.RESULTS After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),and the score in the study group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).The total effective rate of the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.01).After treatment,the expression levels of MTL,Ghrelin,GAS,PG Ⅰ and PG Ⅱ in the two groups increased,and CRH decreased,and the improvement degree of the study group was better than that of the control group(P<0.01).After treatment,the main frequency and slow wave percentage of the electrogastrogram increased in the two groups,and the study group was better than that of the control group(P<0.01).After treat-ment,the number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the two groups increased,and the number in the study group was greater than that in the control group,while the number of enterobacteria,enterococci and yeast decreased,and the number in the study group was less than that in the control group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Tongfu Xiere Quyu Shuli Prescription is effective in the treatment of FD patients with spleen and stomach damp-heat syndrome,and can improve FD clinical symptoms,quality of life,anxiety and depression symptoms,regulate gastrointesti-nal hormone expression levels,gastric motility and intestinal flora expression,and does not increase adverse reactions,and is safe and reliable.
5.Application of full-length lower extremity CT with various noise index in robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty
Yi WANG ; Yaling GAO ; Peiyan HU ; Pengcheng SHAN ; Hui SUN ; Juan ZHANG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2025;41(3):496-500
Objective To investigate the application value of full-length lower extremity CT scans performed at different noise index(NI)in terms of image quality and radiation dose for robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty(RTKA).Methods Eighty patients who underwent RTKA were selected and randomly divided into four groups based on different NI:NI=8,NI=18,NI=28,and NI=38.Subjective scores were assigned to the full-length lower extremity CT images and the three-dimensional skeletal models generated by volume rendering(VR)post-processing.Objective evaluations were performed using three indicators:dose length product(DLP),volume CT dose index(CTDIvol),and hip-knee-ankle angle(HKA).The application value of full-length lower extremity CT scans in RTKA was analyzed.Results(1)As the NI value increased,the subjective scores of thin-slice images decreased.Images with NI between 8 and 18 met the imaging diagnostic standards,while those with NI higher than 18 were unacceptable.(2)As the NI value increased,all VR skeletal models met the acceptance criteria for RTKA.(3)As the NI value increased,DLP and CTDIvol gradually decreased,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05),However,in the comparison between the NI=28 and NI=38 groups,the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Performing full-length lower extremity CT scans with an NI of 28 not only meets the preoperative planning requirements for RTKA but also minimizes the radiation dose.
6.Construction of risk prediction model for preterm infant respiratory distress syndrome in Dali Prefecture
Hong ZHANG ; Rong ZHANG ; Pengcheng YANG ; Liyan LUO ; Wenlong ZHANG ; Yurong CHENG ; Wenlin LIU ; Wenbin DONG
The Journal of Practical Medicine 2025;41(15):2342-2348
Objective To develop a nomogram-based predictive model for assessing the risk of respiratory distress syndrome(RDS)in premature infants in the high-altitude region of Dali.The predictive performance and clinical applicability of the model will be systematically evaluated to provide evidence-based guidance for the early diagnosis and clinical management of respiratory distress in premature infants.Methods A total of 680 preterm infants admitted to the Dali Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024 were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into a training set(n=476)and a validation set(n=204)at a ratio of 7∶3.Independent predictors were identified through univariate logistic regression and multivariate stepwise regression analyses,and a nomogram model was subsequently developed using R software.The performance of the model,including its discrimination,calibration,stability,and clinical applicability,was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test,bootstrap resampling method,and decision curve analysis(DCA).Results The final model incorporated seven independent variables:gestational age,birth weight,Apgar score,blood oxygen saturation,gestational hyperglycemia,prenatal glucocor-ticoid therapy,and maternal history of infection.The areas under the curve(AUCs)for the training and validation sets were 0.88(95%CI:0.84~0.92)and 0.83(95%CI:0.76~0.89),respectively,with all Hosmer-Lemeshow test p-values exceeding 0.05.The bootstrap-corrected AUC was 0.85(95%CI:0.81~0.89).DCA indicated that the model achieved the highest net benefit at a risk threshold range of 10%to 35%.Conclusions This model integrates multiple risk factors associated with the occurrence of RDS in plateau environments,demonstrating robust predictive performance for RDS in preterm infants residing in high-altitude areas such as Dali.It can serve as a valuable tool for risk stratification and clinical decision-making,and may also provide a reference for future multicenter prospective studies.
7.A multicenter clinical study on intramedullary vancomycin injection for preventing periprosthetic joint infection in total knee arthroplasty
Te LIU ; Jun FU ; Shiguang LAI ; Zhuo ZHANG ; Chi XU ; Lei GENG ; Yang LUO ; Peng REN ; Xin ZHI ; Quanbo JI ; Heng ZHANG ; Runkai ZHAO ; Haichao REN ; Ye TAO ; Qingyuan ZHENG ; Zeyu FENG ; Jianfeng YANG ; Yiming WANG ; Pengcheng LI ; Shuai LIU ; Wei CHAI ; Xiang LI ; Huiwu LI ; Xiaogang ZHANG ; Baochao JI ; Xianzhe LIU ; Xinzhan MAO ; Jianbing MA ; Xiangxiang SUN ; Jiying CHEN ; Yonggang ZHOU ; Jinliang WANG ; Weijun WANG ; Guoqiang ZHANG ; Ming NI
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2025;45(12):803-811
Objective:To explore the safety and efficacy of intraosseous regional administration (IORA) of vancomycin for preventing infection in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A total of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing TKA between February 2024 and May 2024 at nine hospitals were enrolled. Preoperative infection prophylaxis involved either IORA (0.5 g vancomycin administered via intraosseous regional infusion before incision) or intravenous infusion (1 g vancomycin via peripheral vein). The IORA group included 15 males and 47 females with a median age of 66.5 years (range, 60.0-70.0 years), while the intravenous group included 14 males and 48 females with a median age of 66.0 years (range, 61.8-70.3 years) years. Intraoperative samples were collected including fat and synovium tissues after incision, before prosthesis placement, and after tourniquet release; distal femoral cancellous bone during femoral osteotomy; proximal tibial cancellous bone during tibial osteotomy; proximal intercondylar cancellous bone before prosthesis placement; and peripheral blood from non-infused arms at surgery initiation and after tourniquet release. Vancomycin concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Vital sign changes were recorded from admission to 5~10 minutes post-IORA (IORA group) or post-incision (intravenous group). Follow-ups were conducted on postoperative day 1 and 3, and at 1 and 3 months, to document complications including IORA-related adverse events, periprosthetic joint infections, surgical site infections, red man syndrome, acute kidney injury, deep vein thrombosis and so on.Results:Vancomycin concentrations in bone, fat, and synovial tissue samples were significantly higher in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05), while vancomycin concentrations in blood samples were significantly lower in the IORA group than in the intravenous group ( P<0.05). Only 7.3%(41/558) of tissue samples in the IORA group had vancomycin concentrations below 2.0 μg/g (the minimum inhibitory concentration of vancomycin against coagulase-negative staphylococcus), compared to 59.3%(331/558) in the intravenous group (χ 2=11.285, P<0.001). In the intravenous group, 16.9%(21/124) of blood samples had vancomycin concentrations exceeding 15.0 mg/L (the threshold associated with a significantly increased risk of nephrotoxicity), while all concentrations in the IORA group were below this threshold, the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.943, P<0.001). There were no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05) in vital signs changes before and after vancomycin administration between the two groups. Two patients in the intravenous group experienced incision exudate, while no other related complications occurred in either group. Conclusions:Compared to the traditional intravenous infusion of 1 g vancomycin, intraosseous injection of a low dose (0.5 g) of vancomycin achieves higher local tissue concentrations in the knee joint with a lower incidence of adverse reactions and is safe for infection prophylaxis. Despite guidelines not recommending the routine use of vancomycin for preventing infection after primary TKA, intraosseous injection of 0.5 g vancomycin may be considered intraoperatively for primary TKA in the following scenarios: patients in medical institutions with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, patients with potential preoperative MRSA colonization, or patients with cephalosporin allergy.
8.Assessment on CBCT for corrective effect of malocclusion during mixed dentition period
Pengcheng LIAO ; Yi WEI ; Lifei LIAO ; Xinjun QU ; Yuangang ZHANG
China Medical Equipment 2025;22(10):40-45
Objective:To evaluate corrective effect of cone beam computed tomography(CBCT)in children with malocclusion during mixed dentition period.Methods:A total of 90 children with malocclusion during mixed dentition period who admitted to 3201th hospital between January and December 2023 were enrolled,and all of them underwent routine orthodontics.Before and after treatment,CBCT scan was performed to obtain oral and maxillofacial imaging data.According to measurement and analysis for imaging data,the corrective effect,the relation indicators between sagittal and vertical directions of jawbone,which included the constructed angle among the center point of sella turcica-nasion-superior alveolar seat(SNA),the constructed angle among the center point of sella turcica-nasion-inferior alveolar seat(SNB),the constructed angle among superior alveolar seat-nasion-inferior alveolar seat(ANB),the constructed angle between occlusal plane and sella-nasion plane(OP-SN),the angle between mandibular plane and extended line of occlusal plane(SN-MP),were assessed.In addition,the other related mandibular indicators included the angle(Y axis angle)between Y axis and orbitoauricular plane,the angle of nasion A point line-orbitale-pterygomaxillary fissure line(NA-Apo),gonion-pogonion length(Go-Pg),the distance values(Wits)between anterior nasal crest and orbitomeatal plane,and between posterior nasal crest and orbitomeatal plane also were assessed.Third,the soft tissue-related indicators,which included the distance(UL-EP)between upper lip protrusion point,nasal protrusion point and soft tissue line,and the distance(LL-EP)between lower lip protrusion point,nasal protrusion point and soft tissue line,and the nasal labial angle(NLA),the lower intersection angle between the line connecting the nasal columella point and the infranasal point,and the lower intersection angle between the line connecting the nasal columella point and upper lip protrusion point,and the angle(H)between H line and soft tissue surface angle,were assessed.Finally,the dentally relative indicators,which included incisor mandibular plane angle(IMPA angle),upper central incisor-sella nasion plane angle(U1-SN),upper central incisor-nasion appoint angle(U1-NA),lower central incisor-nasion B point angle(L1-NB),overbite and coverage,were also assessed.Results:In the 90 children with malocclusion during mixed dentition period after treatment,25 cases(27.78%)were cured,and 56 cases obtained effective treatment(62.22%)and 9 cases(10.00%)did not obtain effective treatment,and effective rate of correction was 90.00%.There was not significant change in SNB angle between before and after treatment,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared with the indicators before treatment,OP-SN was decreased,while SN-MP,SNA and ANB were all increased after treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(t=6.402,6.135,3.753,50.965,P<0.05).There were not significant changes in Y-axis angle,Wits value,S-Go/N-Me and L1-NB angle between before and after treatment,and the differences were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared with the indicators before treatment,the NA-Apo and Go-Pg were increased after treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(t=46.885,7.575,P<0.05).Compared with the indicators before treatment,the NLA,H angle and UL-EP were increased,while LL-EP was decreased after treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(t=2.707,4.163,28.622,3.276,P<0.05).There was not significant change in L1-NB between before and after treatment,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Compared with the indicators before treatment,the coverage,U1-SN and U1-NA were increased,while overbite and IMPA were decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=16.154,4.723,6.432,4.802,4.106,P<0.05).Conclusion:CBCT can clearly and accurately display three-dimensional morphology and changes of maxillofacial structure of oral cavity,which can provides comprehensive and reliable basis for the assessment for correction effect.Moreover,orthodontic treatment has positive significance in improving dentition occlusion relationship,guiding normal development of jawbone,and optimizing morphology of facial soft tissues,which can provide important reference for the formulation and optimization of the treatment scheme of clinical orthodontics.
9.Content Analysis of Safety Information in the Label of Chinese Patent Medicines Containing Cinnabar Based on Comprehensive Drug Evaluation
Hongye GUO ; Shuang ZHANG ; Pengcheng YUAN ; Rui JIN ; Yiheng YANG
Herald of Medicine 2025;44(5):732-737
Objective Through the safety evaluation of Chinese patent medicines containing cinnabar,the correlation between the evaluation score and the content of drug instructions was analyzed.And the methods and suggestions for improving the label quality of Chinese patent medicines were proposed.Methods Establish a database of Chinese patent medicines and sim-ple preparations containing cinnabar that meet the screening criteria in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia,and quan-titatively score such Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations from the two first level dimensions of safety and toxicity characteristics of Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations,and at the same time,grade the level of safety evidence.Results From the perspective of safety evaluation dimension,Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations with relatively high safety score(safety score ≥ 5 points)has a certain correlation with the content of adverse drug reactions clearly reported in the instructions of this kind of medicine,and 54.55%of the evidence risk of this kind of Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations is controllable,with good safety.From the perspective of the evaluation dimension of toxicity characteristics of Chi-nese patent medicines and simple preparations,the types of toxic ingredients in the compatibility of prescriptions and the scores of daily maximum dosage have certain guiding significance for clinical medication precautions.Conclusion For improving the ad-verse reaction information in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations containing cinnabar,and remin-ding the special population of drug use restrictions,it not only has an important impact on drug safety evaluation and grading,but also provides warning and reference for clinical and patient safety in drug use.
10.Effect of arctigenin on cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats and the role of autophagy-mediated pyroptosis
Pengcheng WANG ; Zhen WANG ; Guoqing ZHANG ; Yanwen DAI ; Tiezhu HOU ; Zhisong LI
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(2):163-169
Objective:To evaluate the effect of arctigenin (ARG) on cognitive dysfunction induced by sevoflurane anesthesia in aged rats and the role of autophagy-mediated pyroptosis.Methods:Fifty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 18-20 months, weighing 550-600 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), sevoflurane anesthesia group (Sev group), sevoflurane anesthesia+ ARG group (Sev+ ARG group), sevoflurane anesthesia+ autophagy inducer rapamycin group (Sev+ RAPA group), and sevoflurane anesthesia+ ARG+ autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) group (Sev+ ARG+ 3-MA group). Except for group C, the rats in the other groups inhaled 6% sevoflurane for 3 h to establish the cognitive impairment model. At 30 min before anesthesia, ARG 20 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in Sev+ ARG group, rapamycin 7.5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in Sev+ RAPA group, and ARG 20 mg/kg (dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide) was intraperitoneally injected, followed by immediate intraperitoneal injection of 3-MA 1.5 mg/kg in Sev+ ARG+ 3-MA group. The equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide was intraperitoneally injected in C group and Sev group. The Morris water maze test was conducted to assess the cognitive function at 48 h after the end of administration. After completion of the Morris water maze test, the hippocampal tissue was taken under deep anesthesia for observation of the pathological changes (after HE staining) which were scored and for determination of neuronal pyroptosis (after propidium iodide staining) and expression of neuronal autophagy-related proteins (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 [LC3], Beclin-1, p62), pyroptosis-related proteins (NOD-like receptor protein 3 [NLRP3], apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD [ASC], pro-cysteine aspartate-specific protease 1 [pro-caspase-1], cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D [GSDMD], and N-terminal fragment of gasdermin D [GSDMD-N], interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and IL-18). Results:Compared with C group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the hippocampal injury score and neuronal pyroptosis rate were increased, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio was decreased, the expression of Beclin-1 was down-regulated, the expression of p62, NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 was up-regulated, and the cleaved-caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio and GSDMD-N/GSDMD ratio were increased in Sev group ( P<0.05). Compared with Sev group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was prolonged, the number of crossing the original platform was increased, the hippocampal injury score and neuronal pyroptosis rate were decreased, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio was increased, the expression of Beclin-1 was up-regulated, the expression of p62, NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 was down-regulated, and the cleaved-caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio and GSDMD-N/GSDMD ratio were decreased in Sev+ ARG group and Sev+ RAPA group ( P<0.05). Compared with Sev+ ARG group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the time of staying at the original platform quadrant was shortened, the number of crossing the original platform was reduced, the hippocampal injury score and neuronal pyroptosis rate were increased, LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio was decreased, the expression of Beclin-1 was down-regulated, the expression of p62, NLRP3, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 was up-regulated, and the cleaved-caspase-1/pro-caspase-1 ratio and GSDMD-N/GSDMD ratio were increased in Sev+ ARG+ 3-MA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:AGR can alleviate sevoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged rats, and the mechanism is related to reduction of autophagy-mediated cell pyroptosis.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail