The etiology of nervous system diseases is complicated, posing significant harm to patients and often resulting in poor prognoses. In recent years, the role of dopaminergic system in nervous system diseases has attracted much attention, and its complex regulatory mechanism and therapeutic potential have been gradually revealed. This paper reviews the role of dopaminergic neurons, the neurotransmitter dopamine, dopamine receptors and dopamine transporters in neurological diseases (including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia), with a view to further elucidating the disease mechanism and providing new insights and strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases.
Humans ; Dopamine/metabolism* ; Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Receptors, Dopamine/metabolism* ; Dopaminergic Neurons/physiology* ; Dopamine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/physiopathology* ; Schizophrenia/physiopathology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment has been reported to improve ovarian function in women, but the relationship between the dose and frequency of PRP treatment and its therapeutic effect remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of single and double PRP treatments for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). METHODS: A total of 65 patients treated at the Reproductive Center of Xiangtan Central Hospital from September 2020 to October 2022 were randomly divided into 4 groups: A single PRP treatment group (21 patients, PRP treatment once), a double PRP treatment group (15 patients, PRP treatment twice), a blank control group (15 patients), and an artificial cycle control group (14 patients, treated with estrogen and progesterone). The differences in baseline follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), antral follicle count (AFC), ovarian volume, number of oocytes retrieved, number of good quality embryos, and pregnancy outcomes before and after treatment were compared among the 4 groups. RESULTS: Compared to before treatment, both single and double PRP treatment groups showed a significant reduction in FSH, and an increase in AFC, ovarian volume, numbers of oocytes retrieved, and number of MII oocytes (all P<0.05). Compared to the blank control group, the single and double PRP groups showed a decrease in FSH, with an increase in AFC, number of oocytes retrieved, and number of MII oocytes (all P<0.05). The rates of good quality embryos, clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate in the single and double PRP groups were higher than those in the blank control group and artificial cycle control groups, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Compared to the single PRP treatment group, the double PRP group had lower FSH and higher AFC, but the differences were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both single and double PRP ovarian injections can effectively improve ovarian reserve function in DOR patients and enhance ovarian response. Compared to single PRP ovarian injection, double PRP ovarian injection shows a trend of better improvement in ovarian reserve function.
Humans ; Female ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Ovarian Reserve/physiology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Pregnancy Rate ; Ovary ; Ovulation Induction/methods* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Oocyte Retrieval

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) shows promise as a regenerative modality for mild-to-moderate erectile dysfunction (ED). However, its efficacy in treating severe ED remains unknown. Blood samples from 8-week-old male rats were used to prepare PRP through a two-step centrifugation procedure, followed by chitosan activation and freeze thaw cycle. A hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy)-related ED model was established using a methionine-enriched diet, and an apomorphine (APO) test was conducted during the 4 th week. APO-negative rats were divided into two groups and were injected with PRP or saline every 2 weeks. Erectile function and histological analyses of the corpus cavernosum were performed during the 16 th week. The results revealed that erectile function was significantly impaired in rats with HHcy-related ED compared to that in age-matched rats but was improved by repeated PRP injections. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a reduction in reactive oxygen species and additional benefits on the recovery of structures within the corpus cavernosum in rats that received PRP treatment compared to those in the saline-injected control group. Therefore, PRP could enhance functional and structural recovery in a severe HHcy-related ED model. A notable strength of the present study lies in the use of a repeated intracavernous injection method, mirroring protocols used in human studies, which offers more reliable results for translating the findings to humans.
Animals ; Male ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Hyperhomocysteinemia/complications* ; Erectile Dysfunction/etiology* ; Rats ; Disease Models, Animal ; Penis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Apomorphine/administration & dosage*

Increased levels of tissue corticosteroids are associated with important protective responses of critically ill patients. Critical illness and its treatment interfere with the normal corticosteroid response to illness and induce tissue corticosteroid insufficiency. Therefore, corticosteroid is commonly used in critically ill patients. In intensive care units, the main reasons for using steroids are critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency (CIRCI), septic shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), airway edema, etc. CIRCI may be suspected due to symptoms or signs such as unconsciousness, hemodynamic instability, fever, or electrolyte imbalance. An adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test or measurement of a random plasma cortisol level is necessary to diagnose CIRCI. Corticosteroid administration can be helpful when CIRCI is confirmed. Similar to CIRCI, corticosteroid can be used in septic shock. However, corticosteroid administration is not recommended for patients with sepsis without shock. The use of corticosteroid in patients with ARDS is still controversial. Although steroids are commonly used for critically ill patients, there are controversies related to the use of steroids in the intensive care unit. In this article, we review the physiology of the corticosteroid response to critical illness and practical issues relating to the diagnosis and treatment of corticosteroid insufficiency in critically ill patients.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Critical Illness ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Fever ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Intensive Care Units ; Physiology ; Plasma ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Sepsis ; Shock ; Shock, Septic ; Steroids ; Unconsciousness

With the technological advances of mass spectrometry (MS)-based platforms, clinical proteomics is one of the most rapidly growing areas in biomedical research. Urine proteomics has become a popular subdiscipline of clinical proteomics because it is an ideal source for the discovery of noninvasive disease biomarkers. The urine proteome offers a comprehensive view of the local and systemic physiology since the proteome is primarily composed of proteins/peptides from the kidneys and plasma. The emergence of MS-based proteomic platforms as prominent bioanalytical tools in clinical applications has enhanced the identification of protein-based urinary biomarkers. This review highlights the characteristics of urine that make it an attractive biofluid for biomarker discovery and the impact of MS-based technologies on the clinical assessment of urinary protein biomarkers.
Biomarkers ; Kidney ; Mass Spectrometry* ; Physiology ; Plasma ; Proteome ; Proteomics*

This study was conducted to identify the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and efficacy of intralesional injection as a method of application to acute cutaneous wounds in dogs. Healthy adult beagles (n = 3) were used in this study. Autologous PRP was separated from anticoagulant treated whole blood in three dogs. Cutaneous wounds were created and then treated by intralesional injection of PRP in the experimental group, while they were treated with saline in the control group on days 0, 2 and 4. The healing process was evaluated by gross examination throughout the experimental period and histologic examination on day 7, 14 and 21. In PRP treated wounds, the mean diameter was smaller and the wound closure rate was higher than in the control. Histological study revealed that PRP treated wounds showed more granulation formation and angiogenesis on day 7, and faster epithelialization, more granulation formation and collagen deposition were observed on day 14 than in control wounds. On day 21, collagen deposition and epithelialization were enhanced in PRP treated groups. Overall, PRP application showed beneficial effects in wound healing, and intralesional injection was useful for application of PRP and could be a good therapeutic option for wound management in dogs.
Animals ; Collagen/metabolism ; Dermis/cytology/injuries/physiology ; Dogs ; Epidermis/cytology/injuries/*physiology ; Female ; Granulation Tissue/cytology ; Injections, Intralesional/veterinary ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; *Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Regeneration ; Treatment Outcome ; *Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries/therapy/*veterinary

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the anticoagulants on PRP quality, so as to clarify the appropriate anticoagulant used in PRP production.

METHODSThe microstructure change of platelets collected via heparin, citrate, acid citrate dextrose (ACD) and citrate-theophylline-adenosine-dipyridamole ( CTAD) was observed by TEM following time course. The extent of spontaneous activation of platelets in four groups was detected by measuring sP-selectin in plasma. The TGF-β1 release amount of activated PRP of four groups was measured.

RESULTSCTAD is superior to other anticoagulants in maintaining the integrity of platelet structures for a long time and preventing platelet spontaneous activation. ACD slightly surpassed heparin and citrate in above two aspects. ACD-PRP and CTAD-PRP released significantly more TGF-β1 compared with heparin and citrate.

CONCLUSIONSThe PRP quality and biological effects were strongly associated with the type of Anticoagulants. ACD and CTAD are optimal anticoagulants in PRP production for they can maintain platelet viability at a high level.

Adenosine ; pharmacology ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Blood Platelets ; drug effects ; physiology ; Citrates ; pharmacology ; Citric Acid ; pharmacology ; Dipyridamole ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Glucose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Heparin ; pharmacology ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Theophylline ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is characterized by a systemic involvement of tumor-like lesions with IgG4-positive plasmacytes. We experienced a case of IgG4-RD developed in a patient with bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A 55-yr-old female patient with BA and CRS complained of both eyes and neck swelling as well as a recurrent upper respiratory infection in recent 1 yr. The serum levels of IgG4, creatinine, and pancreatic enzymes were elevated. A biopsy of the submandibular gland showed an abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes. Her symptoms remarkably improved after the treatment of a systemic steroid that has been maintained without recurrence. We report a rare case of IgG4-RD developed in a patient with BA and CRS.
Asthma/complications/*diagnosis ; Chronic Disease ; Creatinine/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G/*blood ; Middle Aged ; Pancreas/enzymology ; Plasma Cells/physiology ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Republic of Korea ; Rhinitis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Sinusitis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Submandibular Gland/pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Normal wound healing is a well-orchestrated process of inflammatory response, cell proliferation, and tissue remodeling. However, this orderly and precise process is impaired in chronic wounds. A series of complicated pathogenic factors, including enhanced inflammatory response, poor cell proliferation, restrained angiogenesis, restricted collagen deposition, and infection, contribute to the failure of healing of chronic wound. The application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been explored as a treatment for chronic wounds as it can balance wound microenvironment for promoting wound healing. PRP can modulate the inflammatory mediators, growth factors, and cytokines, etc. to correct abnormal biological events and disorderly molecular environment of cell migration and proliferation, and thus promote wound healing appropriately. Yet, the mechanism of PRP in promoting healing of chronic wound is still not elaborated, and the clinical application of PRP needs to be standardized as soon as possible.
Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chronic Disease ; Collagen ; Humans ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; Severity of Illness Index ; Skin Ulcer ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Wound Healing ; physiology

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is adipocyte-derived secreted adipokines and elevated RBP4 expression level was closely related to insulin resistance and type II diabetes mellitus. However, the exact mechanisms are unknown. To clarify the mechanism, RBP4 lentivirus particles were packaged to infect porcine preadipocytes. Then porcine preadipocytes were activated by insulin or induced model of insulin resistance. RBP4 interference efficiency and the gene expression of each treatment groups in PI3K/Akt pathways were examined by QRT-PCR and Western blotting. The result shows that RBP4 mRNA and protein expressions were suppressed more than 60% (P < 0.01). Furthermore, no matter under insulin stimulation or insulin resistance, RBP4 knockdown significantly increased the mRNA expressions of AKT2, PI3K, GLUT4 and IRS1 compared with the control. The protein phosphorylate levels of AKT2, PI3K, IRS1 arised, meanwhile enhanced the AKT2, PI3K, GLUT4 total protein expressions. Collectively, knockdown of RBP4 increased the insulin sensitivity through upregulated PI3K/Akt pathways related factors' expression and phosphorylation in porcine adipocytes. This research will provide a new idea to treat insulin resistance related diseases.
Adipocytes ; metabolism ; Animals ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; Swine