1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Enzyme-directed Immobilization Strategies for Biosensor Applications
Xing-Bao WANG ; Yao-Hong MA ; Yun-Long XUE ; Xiao-Zhen HUANG ; Yue SHAO ; Yi YU ; Bing-Lian WANG ; Qing-Ai LIU ; Li-He ZHANG ; Wei-Li GONG
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):374-394
Immobilized enzyme-based enzyme electrode biosensors, characterized by high sensitivity and efficiency, strong specificity, and compact size, demonstrate broad application prospects in life science research, disease diagnosis and monitoring, etc. Immobilization of enzyme is a critical step in determining the performance (stability, sensitivity, and reproducibility) of the biosensors. Random immobilization (physical adsorption, covalent cross-linking, etc.) can easily bring about problems, such as decreased enzyme activity and relatively unstable immobilization. Whereas, directional immobilization utilizing amino acid residue mutation, affinity peptide fusion, or nucleotide-specific binding to restrict the orientation of the enzymes provides new possibilities to solve the problems caused by random immobilization. In this paper, the principles, advantages and disadvantages and the application progress of enzyme electrode biosensors of different directional immobilization strategies for enzyme molecular sensing elements by specific amino acids (lysine, histidine, cysteine, unnatural amino acid) with functional groups introduced based on site-specific mutation, affinity peptides (gold binding peptides, carbon binding peptides, carbohydrate binding domains) fused through genetic engineering, and specific binding between nucleotides and target enzymes (proteins) were reviewed, and the application fields, advantages and limitations of various immobilized enzyme interface characterization techniques were discussed, hoping to provide theoretical and technical guidance for the creation of high-performance enzyme sensing elements and the manufacture of enzyme electrode sensors.
3.Electrical stimulation induces miR-741-3p to regulate Radil and promote Schwann cell migration
Qing LIU ; Bo GAO ; Xiao YANG ; Yu JIANG ; Pei WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4038-4043
BACKGROUND:More and more animal experiments and clinical studies have confirmed that electrical stimulation can promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury,but the specific mechanism is not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of electrical stimulation-induced miR-741-3p regulating Radil on Schwann cell migration. METHODS:(1)Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into electrical stimulation group and control group.The electrical stimulation group received continuous electrical stimulation for 7 days after sciatic nerve compression injury,while the control group was not treated after sciatic nerve compression.The injured nerves were taken on day 7 after operation.The expression difference of miR-741-3p between the two groups was verified by fluorescence in situ hybridization.(2)The target genes of miR-741-3p were predicted by miRDB,TargetScan,and miRWalk databases.(3)Schwann cells were transfected with miR-741-3p mimetic and its control,miR-741-3p inhibitor and its control,Radil siRNA and its control,miR-741-3p inhibitor+Radil siRNA and miR-741-3p inhibitor+siRNA control.The transfection efficiency was detected by RT-PCR.The migration ability of Schwann cells was detected by Transwell chamber. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The fluorescence intensity of miR-741-3p in the electrical stimulation group was lower than that in the control group.(2)The results of database prediction showed that 69 genes might be the target genes of miR-741-3p.Radil was one of the predicted target genes,which was mainly involved in cell adhesion and migration.(3)Compared with the miR-741-3p inhibitor control group,the number of Schwann cell migration increased in the miR-741-3p inhibitor group(P<0.05).Compared with the miR-741-3p mimic control group,the number of Schwann cell migration in the miR-741-3p mimic group decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the siRNA control group,the number of Schwann cell migration was decreased in the Radil siRNA group(P<0.05).(4)Compared with miR-741-3p inhibitor control group,the expression level of Radil was increased in miR-741-3p inhibitor group.Compared with miR-741-3p mimic control group,the expression level of Radil was decreased in miR-741-3p mimic group.(5)Compared with miR-741-3p inhibitor+siRNA control group,the number of Schwann cell migration was reduced in miR-741-3p inhibitor+Radil siRNA group(P<0.05).The results showed that electrical stimulation promoted the migration of Schwann cells by down-regulating miR-741-3p and targeting Radil gene.
4.Temporomandibular joint capsule suspension for neocondyle stability in free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle
Shuang BAI ; Yao YU ; Wen-Bo ZHANG ; Ya-Qing MAO ; Yang WANG ; Chi MAO ; Dian-Can WANG ; Xin PENG
Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2025;51(1):46-53
Objectives:
This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle.
Patients and Methods:
Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery.
Results:
Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively).
Conclusion
The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.
5.Temporomandibular joint capsule suspension for neocondyle stability in free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle
Shuang BAI ; Yao YU ; Wen-Bo ZHANG ; Ya-Qing MAO ; Yang WANG ; Chi MAO ; Dian-Can WANG ; Xin PENG
Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 2025;51(1):46-53
Objectives:
This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle.
Patients and Methods:
Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery.
Results:
Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively).
Conclusion
The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.
6.Carvedilol to prevent hepatic decompensation of cirrhosis in patients with clinically significant portal hypertension stratified by new non-invasive model (CHESS2306)
Chuan LIU ; Hong YOU ; Qing-Lei ZENG ; Yu Jun WONG ; Bingqiong WANG ; Ivica GRGUREVIC ; Chenghai LIU ; Hyung Joon YIM ; Wei GOU ; Bingtian DONG ; Shenghong JU ; Yanan GUO ; Qian YU ; Masashi HIROOKA ; Hirayuki ENOMOTO ; Amr Shaaban HANAFY ; Zhujun CAO ; Xiemin DONG ; Jing LV ; Tae Hyung KIM ; Yohei KOIZUMI ; Yoichi HIASA ; Takashi NISHIMURA ; Hiroko IIJIMA ; Chuanjun XU ; Erhei DAI ; Xiaoling LAN ; Changxiang LAI ; Shirong LIU ; Fang WANG ; Ying GUO ; Jiaojian LV ; Liting ZHANG ; Yuqing WANG ; Qing XIE ; Chuxiao SHAO ; Zhensheng LIU ; Federico RAVAIOLI ; Antonio COLECCHIA ; Jie LI ; Gao-Jun TENG ; Xiaolong QI
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(1):105-118
Background:
s/Aims: Non-invasive models stratifying clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) are limited. Herein, we developed a new non-invasive model for predicting CSPH in patients with compensated cirrhosis and investigated whether carvedilol can prevent hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified using the new model.
Methods:
Non-invasive risk factors of CSPH were identified via systematic review and meta-analysis of studies involving patients with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG). A new non-invasive model was validated for various performance aspects in three cohorts, i.e., a multicenter HVPG cohort, a follow-up cohort, and a carvediloltreating cohort.
Results:
In the meta-analysis with six studies (n=819), liver stiffness measurement and platelet count were identified as independent risk factors for CSPH and were used to develop the new “CSPH risk” model. In the HVPG cohort (n=151), the new model accurately predicted CSPH with cutoff values of 0 and –0.68 for ruling in and out CSPH, respectively. In the follow-up cohort (n=1,102), the cumulative incidences of decompensation events significantly differed using the cutoff values of <–0.68 (low-risk), –0.68 to 0 (medium-risk), and >0 (high-risk). In the carvediloltreated cohort, patients with high-risk CSPH treated with carvedilol (n=81) had lower rates of decompensation events than non-selective beta-blockers untreated patients with high-risk CSPH (n=613 before propensity score matching [PSM], n=162 after PSM).
Conclusions
Treatment with carvedilol significantly reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with high-risk CSPH stratified by the new model.
7.Studies on common irritant components in three different base sources of Polygonati Rhizoma.
Yu-Xin GU ; Hong-Li YU ; Min SHEN ; Xin-Zhi WANG ; Kui-Long WANG ; Jie CAO ; Qian-Lin CHEN ; Yan-Qing XU ; Chang-Li SHEN ; Hao WU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3223-3231
To explore the common irritant components in different base sources of Polygonati Rhizoma(PR). A rabbit eye irritation experiment was conducted to compare the irritant effects of raw products of Polygonatum kingianum, P. officinale, and P. multiflorum. The irritant effects of different solvent extraction parts and needle crystals of PR were compared, and the irritant components were screened. The morphology and structure of the purified needle crystal of PR were observed by microscope and scanning electron microscope and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Rabbit eye irritation and mouse abdominal inflammation model were used to evaluate rabbit eye irritation scores, inflammatory mediators, inflammatory factors levels in the peritoneal exudate of mice, with the peritoneal pathological section used as indicators. The inflammatory effect of needle crystals of PR was studied, and the content of calcium oxalate in three kinds of PR was determined by HPLC. The common protein in three kinds of PR was screened and compared by double enzymatic hydrolysis in solution combined with mass spectrometry. The results showed that three kinds of PR raw products had certain irritant effects on rabbit eyes, among which P. kingianum had the strongest irritant effect. There were no obvious irritant effects in the different solvent extraction parts of P. kingianum. Compared with the blank group, the needle crystal of PR had a significant irritant effect on rabbit eyes, and the inflammatory mediators and inflammatory factors in the peritoneal exudate were significantly increased(P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the peritoneal tissue of mice was damaged with significant inflammatory cell infiltration after intraperitoneal injection of needle crystal, indicating that needle crystal had an inflammatory effect. Microscope and scanning electron microscope observations showed that the needle crystals of PR were slender, with a length of about 100-200 μm and sharp ends. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the needle crystals of PR were calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. The results of HPLC showed that the content of calcium oxalate in P. kingianum was the highest among the three kinds of PR. It was speculated that the content of needle crystal in P. kingianum was higher than that in P. officinale and P. multiflorum, which was consistent with the results of the rabbit eye irritation experiment. The results of mass spectrometry showed that ribosome inactivating protein and mannose/sialic acid binding lectin were related to inflammation and cell metabolism in all three kinds of PR. There was no obvious irritant effect in different solvent extracts of PR. The calcium oxalate needle crystal contained was the main irritant component of PR, and three kinds of PR contained common ribosome inactivating protein and mannose/sialic acid binding lectin, which may be related to the inflammatory irritant effect of PR.
Animals
;
Rabbits
;
Mice
;
Polygonatum/chemistry*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/toxicity*
;
Rhizome/chemistry*
;
Male
;
Eye/drug effects*
;
Female
;
Humans
8.Mechanism of Hezi Decoction in reducing toxic side effects of Euphoriae Ebracteolata Radix on intestine based on proteomics.
Qian-Lin CHEN ; Hong-Li YU ; Hao WU ; Xin-Zhi WANG ; Tong-Laga LI ; Bing-Bing LIU ; Xin LI ; Yu-Xin GU ; Yan-Qing XU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3214-3222
This paper aimed to explore the intestinal toxicity of Euphoriae Ebracteolata Radix(EER) before and after being processed with Mongolian medicine Hezi Decoction(HZD) and the toxicity-reducing mechanism of this processing method. The intestinal toxicity in rats treated with unprocessed EER and HZD-processed EER extracts via 95% ethanol was compared. The comparison was based on several indicators, including fecal volume, serum diamine oxidase(DAO) and D-lactate(D-LA) levels, the water content of various intestinal segments and their contents, and inflammatory factor levels in intestinal segments. Tandem mass tag(TMT) quantitative proteomics technology was employed to analyze the key proteins associated with changes in intestinal toxicity between unprocessed EER and HZD-processed EER. The results indicated that compared with the blank group, unprocessed EER significantly increased the fecal volume, serum DAO and D-LA levels, water content of the ileal segment and its contents, as well as the release levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β) in the ileal segment of rats(P<0.05), indicating that EER can cause diarrhea, increase intestinal permeability, and induce intestinal inflammation. Compared with those in the unprocessed EER group, all indicators in the HZD-processed EER group were significantly reduced(P<0.05). The TMT quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that a total of 6 487 proteins were identified in the rat ileum tissue. Compared to the blank group, 182 proteins exhibited significant changes in the unprocessed EER group, while 907 proteins in the HZD-processed EER group showed significant changes. The intersection of the differential proteins between the two groups identified 38 common proteins. Among them, the protein levels of intestinal barrier tight junction protein claudin3, squalene monooxidase(Sqle), clusterin, Na~+/H~+ exchange regulatory cofactor NHE-RF3(Pdzk1), and Y+L amino acid transporter 1(Slc7a7) exhibited significant changes before and after processing, and these changes were closely related to intestinal barrier function. Compared with the blank group, the expression of claudin3, Pdzk1, and Slc7a7 in the raw product group was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression of Sqle and clusterin was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Compared with the raw product group, the expression of claudin3, Pdzk1, and Slc7a7 in the processed product group of HZD was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), while the expression of Sqle and clusterin was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05). Western blot was used to detect the expression level of claudin 3 in the ileum of rats in each group. The results show that compared to that in the blank group, the expression level of claudin 3 in the unprocessed EER group was significantly reduced(P<0.01); compared to that in the unprocessed EER group, the expression level of claudin 3 in the HZD-processed EER group was significantly increased(P<0.01). This finding aligned with the proteomic outcomes, indicating that claudin 3 protein levels could serve as a crucial indicator for intestinal damage caused by EER. In summary, HZD-processed EER can reduce EER's intestinal toxicity, and the primary mechanism for its alleviation of intestinal barrier damage is the regulation of the intestinal barrier tight junction protein claudin 3 and other intestinal-related proteins.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Proteomics
;
Rats
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Male
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Intestines/drug effects*
;
Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects*
;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*
9.Standardization of refining process of Hongsheng Dan and change law of substances.
Jing-Jing YANG ; Qing-Xia GAN ; Yu YANG ; Hou-Bo ZHOU ; Can LIU ; Jin WANG ; Qin-Wan HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2695-2703
Hongsheng Dan, historically referred to as the "surgical sacred medicine", is at risk of losing its refining technology in contemporary times. This study aimed to preserve and innovate this traditional non-heritage refining technology. By utilizing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP) combined with the entropy weight method, this study established the hierarchical structure model of refining process of Hongsheng Dan and conducted a single factor experiment and an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment to optimize the refining method of Hongsheng Dan. Additionally, the study employed infrared thermal imaging to monitor temperature variations of Hongsheng Dan during the refining process. The optimized refining parameters for Hongsheng Dan were established as follows: a slow fire temperature of 175 ℃ with a duration of 30 minutes, a strong fire temperature of 270 ℃ with a duration of 60 minutes, and a tail fire temperature of 180 ℃ with a duration of 15 minutes. The stability and feasibility of this optimized process were confirmed through validation tests. The research focused on the material transformation of Hongsheng Dan, starting from the material changes during the refining process of Hongsheng Dan and the synthesis of mercuric oxide from nitric acid. The study investigated elemental transformations, physical phase changes, and alterations in thermal properties. 78.98% of the mercury in Hongsheng Dan and 80.21% of the mercury in mercuric oxide from nitric acid were retained. The diffraction peak intensity of the(011) crystal plane of Hongsheng Dan was highest at approximately 30.07°, indicating that the(011) crystal plane had a preferred crystalline orientation. Furthermore, the temperature range for the alteration in thermal properties during the refining process of Hongsheng Dan was found to be between 80 ℃ and 130 ℃. This research not only optimized the refining technology of Hongsheng Dan but also pioneered the application of infrared thermal imaging to study temperature changes throughout the refining process. By exploring the material transformation patterns of Hongsheng Dan and the synthesis of mercuric oxide from nitric acid, the study provided technical support for the preservation and innovation of Hongsheng Dan.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards*
;
Temperature
10.Identification of tissue distribution components and mechanism of antipyretic effect of famous classical formula Dayuanyin.
Yu-Jie HOU ; Kang-Ning XIAO ; Jian-Yun BI ; Xin-Rui LI ; Ming SU ; Li-Jie WANG ; Yu-Qing WANG ; Dan-Dan SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Xin-Jun ZHANG ; Shan-Xin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(10):2810-2824
Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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Molecular Docking Simulation
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Male
;
Antipyretics/metabolism*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Tissue Distribution
;
Mass Spectrometry
;
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
;
Hypothalamus/metabolism*

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