1.Construction of A Conceptual Framework for the Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Evolutionary Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Across Full-cycle of Parkinson's Disease
Yu WANG ; Jianing MEI ; Hongping ZHAO ; Yunzhe TANG ; Zijun WEI ; Qinliang TAO ; Xueyi HAN ; Jiyuan HU ; Yunyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):270-279
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems and neurotransmitters. Due to the high clinical heterogeneity of PD,it is urgent to establish a comprehensive and long-term traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) management model. In this paper,the conceptual framework of full-cycle management of PD is preliminarily constructed:based on the evolution of the pathophysiological mechanisms of protein deposition and neurotransmitter disorder in PD,the three-stage syndrome characteristics of the prodromal stage (predominant healthy Qi with subtle pathogenic factors),the early clinical stage (declining healthy Qi with growing pathogenic factors) and the middle and late stages (overwhelming pathogenic factors with deficient healthy Qi) are longitudinally described. Through the syndrome differentiation of visceral manifestations,the etiology and pathogenesis of PD motor and non-motor symptoms were comprehensively analyzed,while the matching treatment methods and prescriptions were inferred,and the modular scheme of the combining main symptoms,accompanying symptoms and secondary symptoms was proposed. The conceptual gap of TCM regarding motor complications ('variable syndrome') and PD-related hyperpyrexia syndrome ('critical syndrome') was explained. This framework reflects the characteristics of combination of disease and syndrome and overall constant motion,and provides new theories and research ideas for individualized and whole-process management of PD in TCM.
2.Construction of A Conceptual Framework for the Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine in Evolutionary Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Across Full-cycle of Parkinson's Disease
Yu WANG ; Jianing MEI ; Hongping ZHAO ; Yunzhe TANG ; Zijun WEI ; Qinliang TAO ; Xueyi HAN ; Jiyuan HU ; Yunyun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(10):270-279
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease involving multiple systems and neurotransmitters. Due to the high clinical heterogeneity of PD,it is urgent to establish a comprehensive and long-term traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) management model. In this paper,the conceptual framework of full-cycle management of PD is preliminarily constructed:based on the evolution of the pathophysiological mechanisms of protein deposition and neurotransmitter disorder in PD,the three-stage syndrome characteristics of the prodromal stage (predominant healthy Qi with subtle pathogenic factors),the early clinical stage (declining healthy Qi with growing pathogenic factors) and the middle and late stages (overwhelming pathogenic factors with deficient healthy Qi) are longitudinally described. Through the syndrome differentiation of visceral manifestations,the etiology and pathogenesis of PD motor and non-motor symptoms were comprehensively analyzed,while the matching treatment methods and prescriptions were inferred,and the modular scheme of the combining main symptoms,accompanying symptoms and secondary symptoms was proposed. The conceptual gap of TCM regarding motor complications ('variable syndrome') and PD-related hyperpyrexia syndrome ('critical syndrome') was explained. This framework reflects the characteristics of combination of disease and syndrome and overall constant motion,and provides new theories and research ideas for individualized and whole-process management of PD in TCM.
3.Hei Xiaoyaosan Improves Learning and Memory Abilities in Alzheimer's Disease Rats by Regulating Cell Apoptosis
Huping WANG ; Jiao YANG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yujie LYU ; Yunyun HU ; Wenli PEI ; Yumei HAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):108-115
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in improving the cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease (AD) from cell apoptosis mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsFour-month-old SD male rats were randomly assigned into a blank group, a sham group, a model group, a donepezil hydrochloride (0.45 mg·kg-1) group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose (15.30, 7.65, and 3.82 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 10 rats in each group. The sham group received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL normal saline, while the other groups received bilateral hippocampal injection of 1 μL beta-amyloid 1-42 (Aβ1-42) solution for the modeling of AD. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents once a day for 42 consecutive days. The Morris water maze test was carried out to assess the learning and memory abilities of rats. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe pathological changes in the hippocampus of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of PI3K, Akt, and NF-κB. A cell model of AD was established by co-culturing Aβ1-42 and PC12 cells in vitro. Cell viability and apoptosis were detected by the cell-counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry (FC), respectively. ResultsAnimal experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the model group had a prolonged escape latency (P<0.01), a reduced number of crossing platforms (P<0.01), disarrangement and a reduced number of hippocampal neurons, up-regulated expression of Bax and Caspase-3, down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 (P<0.01), decreased p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels, and an increased p-NF-κB/NF-κB level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, donepezil hydrochloride and high- and medium-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan shortened the escape latency and increased the number of crossing platforms (P<0.05, P<0.01), improved the arrangement and increased the number of hippocampal neurons, down-regulated the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3, up-reguated the expression level of Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced the p-NF-κB/NF-κB level (P<0.05, P<0.01). Cell experiments showed that compared with the blank group, the model group exhibited an increased apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at various doses improved the cell viability (P<0.01), and the serum containing Hei Xiaoyaosan at the high dose decreased the cell apoptosis (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may improve the learning and memory abilities of AD model rats by regulating cell apoptosis, while increasing the vitality and reducing the apoptosis rate of AD model cells via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Effect of Hei Xiaoyaosan on Neuroinflammation and NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD Signaling Pathway in APP/PS1 Mice
Jun ZHOU ; Mingcheng LI ; Yujie LYU ; Zhipeng MENG ; Yunyun HU ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):124-133
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Hei Xiaoyaosan on the learning and memory abilities of Alzheimer's disease model mice (APP/PS1 mice), and to explore its mechanism through the inflammatory cascade mediated by nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3)/cysteine aspartate-specific protease (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway. MethodsSPF-grade 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into the model group, MCC950 group, and Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. C57BL/6J mice were used as the blank group. After 7 days of adaptive feeding, mice in each group were intervened. The Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were given corresponding doses by gavage (25.79, 12.90, 6.45 g·kg-1·d-1), the MCC950 group was intraperitoneally injected with 10 mg·kg-1·2 d-1, and the blank group received the same volume of physiological saline by gavage. After 90 days of intervention, the learning and memory abilities were assessed using the Y maze and Morris water maze tests. The structural changes of hippocampal neurons were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the hippocampal CA3 region was detected by immunohistochemistry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin (IL)-10, IL-18, and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the co-localization of GSDMD-N and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1) in the hippocampus. Results① In the Y maze test, compared with the blank group, the spontaneous alternation rate of the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the spontaneous alternation rate in the Hei Xiaoyaosan high- and low-dose groups was significantly increased (P<0.01). ② In the Morris water maze test, during the 1-4 days of the location navigation test, the escape latency time of mice decreased with the extension of training time. On day 4, compared with the blank group, the model group showed a significantly increased escape latency (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan low-dose group showed significantly reduced escape latency (P<0.05). In the spatial exploration experiment, compared with the blank group, the number of platform crossings in the model group was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the Hei Xiaoyaosan low-dose group showed significantly increased platform crossings (P<0.05). ③ HE staining showed that, compared with the blank group, the hippocampal CA3 cells of the model group were damaged, arranged loosely and irregularly, swollen, with unclear boundaries, and the nuclei were pyknotic and deeply stained. MCC950 and all doses of Hei Xiaoyaosan improved the hippocampal CA3 cell damage in APP/PS1 mice to varying degrees. ④ Immunohistochemical results indicated that, compared with the blank group, the expression of APP in the hippocampal CA3 region was significantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). MCC950 and all doses of Hei Xiaoyaosan could reduce the expression of APP in the hippocampal CA3 region of APP/PS1 mice (P<0.01). ⑤ ELISA results showed that the levels of IL-18 and IL-1β in the hippocampus of mice in the model group were significantly increased, and IL-10 levels were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the IL-18 levels in the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups were significantly reduced (P<0.01). IL-1β levels in the hippocampus of the MCC950 group and Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The IL-10 levels in the hippocampus of the MCC950 group and the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ⑥ Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group, the protein levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N in the hippocampus of the model group were significantly elevated (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the content of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in the hippocampus of the treated groups was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The content of GSDMD in the hippocampus of the Hei Xiaoyaosan high-, medium-, and low-dose groups was reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the content of GSDMD-N in the hippocampus of the Hei Xiaoyaosan medium- and low-dose groups was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ⑦ Immunofluorescence results showed that, compared with the blank group, the co-expression of GSDMD-N and Iba-1 in the hippocampus of the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the co-expression of GSDMD-N and Iba-1 in the treated groups was significantly reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan may regulate the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway to affect the release of inflammatory factors, alleviate neuroinflammation,improve hippocampal histopathological changes,and improve learning and memory deficits,thus providing potential therapeutic benefits for Alzheimer's disease.
5.Current status of alexithymia in middle-aged and young patients with stroke:an analysis of influencing factors and nursing strategies
Yanying HU ; Yunyun WU ; Ping WANG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):1-7
Objective To explore current status of alexithymia in middle-aged and young patients with stroke,and to analyse the influencing factors and summarise the nursing strategies therefore to provide references for nursing interventions.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 220 patients who had stroke and admitted to the wards of Neurology and Neurosurgery in our hospital between February and April 2024.The patients were surveyed using a general information questionnaire,the stroke symptom experience scale,the stroke-specific quality of life scale(SSQOL),and the Toronto alexithymia scale-20(TAS-20).Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia,stroke symptom experience and quality of life in middle-aged and young patients with stroke.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors of alexithymia.Results A total of 205 middle-aged and young patients with stroke completed the study.The mean score of the TAS-20 was 74.67±19.68,with average subscale scores for difficulty in identifying feelings of 3.45±0.73,difficulty in describing feelings of 3.49±0.74 and externally-oriented thinking of 3.22±0.69.The prevalence of alexithymia was 74.63%.Alexithymia was found positively correlated with stroke symptom experience and negatively correlated with quality of life(all P<0.05).The education,family income and stroke symptom experience were the protective factors for alexithymia,while quality of life was a risk factor(all P<0.05).These factors collectively explained 61.50%of the variance in alexithymia.Conclusion Middle-aged and young patients with stroke have a high level of alexithymia.Patients with higher education,family monthly income≥2,000 yuan,lower quality of life and higher symptom burden are more likely to develop an alexithymia.Nursing staff should seek appropriate methods to guide patients in expressing their emotions in order to prevent the alexithymia.
6.Current status of alexithymia in middle-aged and young patients with stroke:an analysis of influencing factors and nursing strategies
Yanying HU ; Yunyun WU ; Ping WANG
Modern Clinical Nursing 2025;24(6):1-7
Objective To explore current status of alexithymia in middle-aged and young patients with stroke,and to analyse the influencing factors and summarise the nursing strategies therefore to provide references for nursing interventions.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select 220 patients who had stroke and admitted to the wards of Neurology and Neurosurgery in our hospital between February and April 2024.The patients were surveyed using a general information questionnaire,the stroke symptom experience scale,the stroke-specific quality of life scale(SSQOL),and the Toronto alexithymia scale-20(TAS-20).Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between alexithymia,stroke symptom experience and quality of life in middle-aged and young patients with stroke.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors of alexithymia.Results A total of 205 middle-aged and young patients with stroke completed the study.The mean score of the TAS-20 was 74.67±19.68,with average subscale scores for difficulty in identifying feelings of 3.45±0.73,difficulty in describing feelings of 3.49±0.74 and externally-oriented thinking of 3.22±0.69.The prevalence of alexithymia was 74.63%.Alexithymia was found positively correlated with stroke symptom experience and negatively correlated with quality of life(all P<0.05).The education,family income and stroke symptom experience were the protective factors for alexithymia,while quality of life was a risk factor(all P<0.05).These factors collectively explained 61.50%of the variance in alexithymia.Conclusion Middle-aged and young patients with stroke have a high level of alexithymia.Patients with higher education,family monthly income≥2,000 yuan,lower quality of life and higher symptom burden are more likely to develop an alexithymia.Nursing staff should seek appropriate methods to guide patients in expressing their emotions in order to prevent the alexithymia.
7.Progress of research on the preventive and therapeutic agents against radiation-induced injuries
Junfeng XUE ; Shu SUN ; Yunyun JIANG ; Weili QI ; Wei HU
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2024;33(1):106-110
Radiation-induced injury, a body dysfunction caused by irradiation, is associated with the dose, duration, and speed of radiation and is predominantly derived from radiation therapy for patients with malignant tumors. The current clinical treatment mainly includes amelioration of injury, alleviation of symptoms, and improvements in function restoration of the affected sites because of lack of targeted agents specific to radiation-induced injuries. Research and development of preventive and therapeutic agents against radiation-induced injuries are of great significance to reduce the body damages caused by radiotherapy and improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. This review summarizes the radiation-induced injury and its mechanisms, radioprotectants, and therapeutic agents for radiation, and proposes future development directions, so as to provide a reference for alleviation of radiation-induced injury and improvement in prognosis.
8.Study on the relationship between comorbidities of chronic diseases,phase angle,and muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly
Junlin WANG ; Mingxiu HAO ; Yinhan TANG ; Yunyun WU ; Yuhua JIN ; Yaomin HU
Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University(Medical Science) 2024;44(2):196-203
Objective·To explore the correlation between comorbidities of chronic non-communicable diseases(chronic diseases),phase angle(PhA),and muscle mass decline associated with sarcopenia in the elderly,and the predictive value of chronic disease comorbidities and PhA in muscle mass decline in the elderly.Methods·By retrospectively screening inpatients aged≥60 years who were admitted to the Department of Geriatrics,Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from August 1,2018 to July 31,2019,basic information and medical history of the patients(gender,age,number of medications used,number of comorbidities,presence of osteoporosis,smoking history,etc.)were collected,as well as laboratory examination indicators(hemoglobin,albumin,serum creatinine,serum uric acid,ferritin,vitamin D,triacylglycerol,total cholesterol,high-density lipoprotein,low-density lipoprotein,etc.).The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index(aCCI)was calculated.The InBody S10 bioelectrical impedance body composition detector was used to test the body composition.Body mass index(BMI),skeletal muscle mass index(SMI),and PhA were collected.Some patients underwent measurement of grip strength.Muscle mass decline was diagnosed by using the SMI values recommended by the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia(AWGS)(≤7.0 kg/m2 for males and≤5.7 kg/m2 for females).According to the measured SMI values,patients were divided into a group with normal muscle mass and a group with muscle mass decline.Univariate and multivariate Logistic analyses were employed to investigate the risk factors associated with muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly.Additionally,the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve and the area under the curve were utilized to predict the significance of these factors in muscle mass decline.Results·A total of 359 chronic disease patients were enrolled,including 226 males and 133 females.There were 241 cases in the normal muscle mass group and 118 cases in the muscle mass decline group.The incidence of muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly was 32.9%.The univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(OR=1.036,95%CI 1.013?1.060),comorbidities(OR=1.117,95%CI 1.025?1.217),aCCI(OR=1.123,95%CI 1.031?1.222),and high-density lipoprotein(OR=3.688,95%CI 2.065?6.622)were positively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly.BMI(OR=0.514,95%CI 0.443?0.597),PhA(OR=0.195,95%CI 0.126?0.303),hemoglobin(OR=0.984,95%CI 0.972?0.996)and triacylglycerol(OR=0.606,95%CI 0.424?0.866)were negatively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly.Multivariate Logistic regression model indicated that PhA(OR=0.338,95%CI 0.119?0.959)and BMI(OR=0.634,95%CI 0.476?0.844)were negatively correlated with the risk of muscle mass decline in elderly.The area under the ROC curve for predicting muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in elderly by using BMI and PhA was 0.893(95%CI 0.855?0.931)and 0.786(95%CI 0.736?0.837),respectively.The sensitivity was 0.724 and 0.676,respectively.The specificity was 0.916 and 0.762,respectively.When BMI combined with PhA predicted muscle mass decline in the elderly,the area under the ROC curve was 0.917(95%CI 0.883?0.951).The sensitivity was 0.867,and the specificity was 0.860.Conclusion·aCCI is correlated with muscle mass decline associated with sarcopenia in the elderly.As BMI and PhA decrease,the risk of muscle mass decline in the elderly increases.The combination of BMI and PhA has a high predictive value in muscle mass decline in the elderly.No predictive value of chronic diseases comorbidities in muscle mass decline related to sarcopenia in the elderly is found.
9.Hei Xiaoyaosan Regulates Fas/FasL/Caspase-8/Caspase-3 Signaling Pathway to Inhibit Neuronal Apoptosis in AD Rats
Huping WANG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Jiao YANG ; Yunyun HU ; Yujie LYU ; Zhipeng MENG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):18-26
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in regulating the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6 (Fas)/Fas ligand (FasL)/cysteine protease-8 (Caspase-8)/cysteine protease-3 (Caspase-3) signaling pathway to intervene in neuronal apoptosis and prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD). MethodNinety SPF-grade SD male rats of 4 months old were selected and randomly grouped as follows: 10 rats in the blank group, 10 rats in the sham group (bilateral hippocampus injected with 1 μL normal saline), and 70 rats in the modeling group [bilater hippocampus injected with 1 μL amyloid-beta protein 1-42 (Aβ1-42) solution for the modeling of AD]. Fifty successfully modeled rats were selected and randomly assigned into model, donepezil hydrochloride (0.45 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (15.30, 7.65, 3.82 g·kg-1) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups. Rats were administrated with corresponding agents by gavage once a day for 42 days. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) was employed to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in the hippocampus. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, and Fas-associated protein with death domain (Fadd). Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of Fas, FasL, Fadd, Caspase-3, cleved Caspase-3, Caspase-8, and cleved Caspase-8. ResultCompared with the blank group and sham group, the model group showed increased apoptosis rate in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.01), elevated Bax level (P<0.01), lowered Bcl-2 level (P<0.01), up-regulated mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, and Fadd in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of Fas, FasL, Fadd, cleaved Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-8 (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, donepezil hydrochloride and Hei Xiaoyaosan at high and medium doses decreased the apoptosis rate in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the Bax level (P<0.01), elevated the Bcl-2 level (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of Fas, FasL, and Fadd and the protein levels of Fas, FasL, Fadd, cleaved Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-8 (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the hippocampus. Low-dose Hei Xiaoyaosan decreased the apoptosis rate in the cortex and hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), lowered the Bcl-2 level (P<0.01), and down-regulated the mRNA levels of FasL and Fadd (P<0.05) and the protein levels of Fas, FasL, Fadd, cleaved Caspase-3, and cleaved Caspase-8 (P<0.05) in the hippocampus. ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can protect neurons in the cortex and hippocampus of AD rats by inhibiting the apoptosis mediated by the Fas/FasL/Caspase-8/Caspase-3 signaling pathway.
10.Hei Xiaoyaosan Affects Synaptic Plasticity of Hippocampal Neurons in APP/PS1 Double Transgenic Mice of AD via cAMP/PKA/NMDAR Signaling Pathway
Yunyun HU ; Yujie LYU ; Zhipeng MENG ; Jiao YANG ; Yiqin CHEN ; Huping WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(17):27-34
ObjectiveTo explore the effect and mechanism of Hei Xiaoyaosan in modulating the synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 mice by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) signaling pathway. MethodTwelve 4-month-old male C57BL/6J mice were selected as the blank control group, and 60 4-month-old male APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomized into model, KW-6002 (adenosine receptor antagonist, 3 mg·kg-1), and high-, medium-, and low-dose (22.10, 11.05, 5.53 g·kg-1, respectively) Hei Xiaoyaosan groups, with 12 mice in each group. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs for 90 days. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the synaptic ultrastructure of hippocampal neurons, and Golgi staining was used to observe the dendritic spine density of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of cAMP, PKA, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors 1, 2A, and 2B (NR1, NR2A, and NR2B, respectively), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), and synapsin 1 (SYN1). Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was performed to determine the mRNA levels of cAMP, PKA, and NR1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to determine the content of interleukin-12 (IL-12) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the blank group, the model group showed blurred boundaries between presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic membrane in hippocampal CA1 region, reduced and scattered synaptic vesicles, and decreased density of postsynaptic membrane, and irregular, disarranged, and loosened dendritic spines of neurons in hippocampal CA1 region (P<0.01). In addition, the model group presented down-regulated protein levels of cAMP, PKA, NR1, NR2A, NR2B, PSD95, and SYN1 and mRNA levels of cAMP, PKA, and NR1, elevated IL-12 level, and lowered IL-4 level in the hippocampus (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the drug intervention groups showed clear and intact boundaries between presynaptic membrane and postsynaptic membrane in hippocampal CA1 region, increased synaptic vesicles with dense arrangement, increased density of postsynaptic membrane, and improved morphology, arrangement, and density of neuronal dendritic spines (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the drug interventions up-regulated the protein levels of cAMP, PKA, NR1, NR2A, NR2B, PSD95, and SYN1 (P<0.05,P<0.01) and mRNA levels of cAMP, PKA, and NR1 (P<0.01), lowered the IL-12 level (P<0.01), and elevated the IL-4 level (P<0.01) in the hippocampus. ConclusionHei Xiaoyaosan can improve the structure and morphology of hippocampal neurons in APP/PS1 mice by activating the cAMP/PKA/NMDAR signaling pathway and repairing synaptic plasticity.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail