1.Effects of Bushen Huoxue Formulation (补肾活血方) on Synaptic Vesicle-Associated Proteins in Neurons and the Intestinal Barrier in Parkinson's Disease Model Rats
Naxin WEI ; Yingfan CHEN ; Xiaorong QI ; Qian ZHANG ; Xiaohan GENG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Min LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1640-1649
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Bushen Huoxue Formulation (补肾活血方, BSHXF) in Parkinson's disease (PD) from the perspectives of synaptic vesicle cycling and intestinal barrier function. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, control group, model group, Madopar group, and BSHXF group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats were administered rotenone by gavage once daily for 4 consecutive weeks to establish a PD rat model. After successful modeling, rats in the BSHXF group received concentrated BSHXF solution by gavage at a dose of 13.5 g/(kg·d), while rats in the Madopar group received Madopar tablet suspension at 2 g/(kg·d). Rats in the control group and the model group were administered distilled water by gavage at 10 ml/(kg·d). All groups received continuous gavage treatment for 2 weeks. Motor function was evaluated using the open field test (total distance traveled, average speed, and total distance traveled in the central zone), rotarod test (latency to fall), and balance beam test (traversal time). Histopathological changes in colon tissues were observed by HE staining. Western Blotting was used to detect the protein levels of α-synuclein (α-syn), phosphorylated serine 129 α-synuclein (pSer129-α-syn), vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), and synaptophysin (SYP) in the substantia nigra and colon tissues. The mRNA expression levels of α-syn, VAMP2, and SYP were detected by RT-PCR, and α-syn expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess the levels of tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin in colon tissues, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in substantia nigra tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the model group showed reduced total distance traveled, average speed, and central-zone distance in the open field test, decreased latency to fall in the rotarod test, and prolonged traversal time in the balance beam test. The protein levels of pSer129-α-syn and α-syn, as well as α-syn mRNA expression were increased in the substantia nigra and colon tissues, whereas the protein and mRNA expression levels of VAMP2 and SYP were decreased. The relative integrated optical density of α-syn in the substantia nigra and colon tissues was increased, while the relative fluorescence intensities of ZO-1 and occludin in colon tissues and TH in the substantia nigra were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining showed focal necrosis in the mucosal layer of colon tissues, disappearance of some intestinal glands, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, and proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the submucosa. Compared with the model group, both the Madopar group and BSHXF group showed varying degrees of improvement in the above indicators (P<0.05). Pathological damage in colon tissues was also alleviated, with only mild fibrous tissue proliferation and limited diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration observed in the mucosal layer. Compared with the Madopar group, rats in the BSHXF group exhibited increased average speed, central-zone distance, and latency to fall in the rotarod test. The levels of pSer129-α-syn and α-syn proteins in the substantia nigra were decreased, while VAMP2 protein expression was increased. In colon tissues, SYP protein levels and mRNA expression were elevated. The relative fluorescence intensity of ZO-1 in colon tissues and TH in substantia nigra tissues was also increased (P<0.05). ConclusionBSHXF may improve motor dysfunction in PD by regulating synaptic vesicle cycling, restoring intestinal barrier integrity, and improving neuronal synaptic function through modulation of synaptic vesicle-associated protein expression in the substantia nigra and colon tissues.
2.Effects of Bushen Huoxue Formulation (补肾活血方) on Synaptic Vesicle-Associated Proteins in Neurons and the Intestinal Barrier in Parkinson's Disease Model Rats
Naxin WEI ; Yingfan CHEN ; Xiaorong QI ; Qian ZHANG ; Xiaohan GENG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Min LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(15):1640-1649
ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Bushen Huoxue Formulation (补肾活血方, BSHXF) in Parkinson's disease (PD) from the perspectives of synaptic vesicle cycling and intestinal barrier function. MethodsForty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, control group, model group, Madopar group, and BSHXF group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the control group, rats were administered rotenone by gavage once daily for 4 consecutive weeks to establish a PD rat model. After successful modeling, rats in the BSHXF group received concentrated BSHXF solution by gavage at a dose of 13.5 g/(kg·d), while rats in the Madopar group received Madopar tablet suspension at 2 g/(kg·d). Rats in the control group and the model group were administered distilled water by gavage at 10 ml/(kg·d). All groups received continuous gavage treatment for 2 weeks. Motor function was evaluated using the open field test (total distance traveled, average speed, and total distance traveled in the central zone), rotarod test (latency to fall), and balance beam test (traversal time). Histopathological changes in colon tissues were observed by HE staining. Western Blotting was used to detect the protein levels of α-synuclein (α-syn), phosphorylated serine 129 α-synuclein (pSer129-α-syn), vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), and synaptophysin (SYP) in the substantia nigra and colon tissues. The mRNA expression levels of α-syn, VAMP2, and SYP were detected by RT-PCR, and α-syn expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to assess the levels of tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1) and occludin in colon tissues, as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels in substantia nigra tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group, rats in the model group showed reduced total distance traveled, average speed, and central-zone distance in the open field test, decreased latency to fall in the rotarod test, and prolonged traversal time in the balance beam test. The protein levels of pSer129-α-syn and α-syn, as well as α-syn mRNA expression were increased in the substantia nigra and colon tissues, whereas the protein and mRNA expression levels of VAMP2 and SYP were decreased. The relative integrated optical density of α-syn in the substantia nigra and colon tissues was increased, while the relative fluorescence intensities of ZO-1 and occludin in colon tissues and TH in the substantia nigra were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining showed focal necrosis in the mucosal layer of colon tissues, disappearance of some intestinal glands, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, and proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the submucosa. Compared with the model group, both the Madopar group and BSHXF group showed varying degrees of improvement in the above indicators (P<0.05). Pathological damage in colon tissues was also alleviated, with only mild fibrous tissue proliferation and limited diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration observed in the mucosal layer. Compared with the Madopar group, rats in the BSHXF group exhibited increased average speed, central-zone distance, and latency to fall in the rotarod test. The levels of pSer129-α-syn and α-syn proteins in the substantia nigra were decreased, while VAMP2 protein expression was increased. In colon tissues, SYP protein levels and mRNA expression were elevated. The relative fluorescence intensity of ZO-1 in colon tissues and TH in substantia nigra tissues was also increased (P<0.05). ConclusionBSHXF may improve motor dysfunction in PD by regulating synaptic vesicle cycling, restoring intestinal barrier integrity, and improving neuronal synaptic function through modulation of synaptic vesicle-associated protein expression in the substantia nigra and colon tissues.
3.Effect of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒) on Dopamine Homeostasis and ERK/CREB/VMAT2 Signaling Pathways in the Striatum in Parkinson's Disease Model Mice
Hehao SUN ; Yingfan CHEN ; Peng WANG ; Xiaohan GENG ; Yuzhi ZHANG ; Qian ZHANG ; Min LI ; Shaodan LI ; Minghui YANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(23):2484-2493
ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Granule (补肾活血颗粒, BHG) in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) from the perspecitve of dopamine (DA) homeostasis. MethodsSeventy-two mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups, with 12 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, all mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days to induce a PD model. On the day following the injection, BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups were administered BHG at doses of 1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage, respectively, while the madopar group received madopar tablets at dose of 0.093 8 mg/(g·d) by oral gavage. The blank group and the model group were given 0.2 ml/10 g of distilled water by gavage. All treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Open field test, pole climbing test and grip test were used to evaluate the behavior of mice in each group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in striatum. Nissl staining was used to detect the activity of striatal neurons. The contents of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in striatum were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The number and volume of synaptic vesicles were observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in striatum was detected by immunofluorescence. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK), cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), phosphorylated CREB (p-CREB) and VMAT2 in striatum. ResultsCompared to the blank group, mice in the model group showed a significant decline in total distance and average speed in the open field test, along with an increase in total resting time; in the pole test, both the time required for the mice to turn completely downward (T-turn) and the total time taken to reach the bottom of the pole (T-total) were prolonged; forelimb grip strength was reduced; in the striatum, the mean optical density of TH, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, and DA content all decreased, while the number of striatal neurons was reduced, and the DOPAC/DA ratio was elevated; the levels of p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 in the striatum significantly decreased (P<0.01); transmission electron microscopy revealed that both the number and volume of synaptic vesicles in striatal neurons were markedly reduced. Compared to the model group, mice in the madopar group and BHG low-, medium- and high-dose groups showed significant improvements in all the above indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Compared to madopar group, the BHG high-dose group exhibited increased DA content and elevated p-CREB/CREB ratio in the striatum (P<0.05). Compared to the BHG low-dose group, the BHG high-dose group showed increased total distance and mean velocity, decreased total resting time, T-turn, and T-total, as well as enhanced forelimb grip strength; moreover, the average fluorescence intensity of VMAT2 protein, DA content, p-ERK/ERK, p-CREB/CREB, and VMAT2 levels in the striatum were all significantly elevated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionBHG may restore DA homeostasis and alleviate the damage of dopaminergic neurons by regulating ERK/CREB/VMAT2 signaling pathway.
4.The predictive value of serum alkaline phosphatase combined with parathyroid hormone in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Xiaohan LU ; Haixia LIN ; Minghui GENG ; Xiaoyan WU ; Ping GAO
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine 2020;59(8):634-637
To analyze the predictive value of serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in maintaining hemodialysis (MHD) patients. A total of 224 MHD patients were prospectively investigated and followed up for 2 years. Serum iPTH levels were not associated with all-cause death and cardiovascular death ( HR=1.001, 95% CI 1.000-1.004, P=0.048) . The level of serum ALP was associated with cardiovascular death ( HR=1.002, 95% CI 1.000-1.004, P=0.033) . ALP≥106 IU/L was an independent risk factor for cardiovascular death in MHD patients ( P<0.05) . The joint variable was correlated with mortality in MHD patients ( HR=1.002, 95% CI 1.000~1.004, P=0.033) , that equal or over 37.28 was an independent risk factor for mortality ( P<0.05).

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