1.Research on Electrical Impedance and Microwave Dual-modality Tomography Algorithm Based on Conditional Diffusion Models
Jin-Zhen LIU ; Xiang-Qian MENG ; Hui XIONG ; Li-Min ZHOU ; Chun-Chan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(6):1780-1792
ObjectiveStroke poses a heavy burden due to its high mortality and morbidity rates. Accurate and real-time detection of lesions is pivotal for prompt clinical intervention and favorable prognosis. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) and microwave tomography (MWT) have emerged as compelling alternatives for stroke screening, owing to their non-ionizing, non-invasive and portable nature. EIT provides information on tissue conductivity, and MWT offers high sensitivity to changes in dielectric properties. However, single-modality imaging is inherently limited, EIT suffers from low sensitivity to deep-seated tissues and severe ill-posedness of inverse problems, whereas MWT is challenged by strong nonlinearity in inverse scattering and susceptibility to modeling errors. Consequently, the clinical utility of standalone EIT or MWT for stroke diagnosis remains constrained by poor spatial resolution and imaging artifacts. To improve the accuracy and robustness of stroke imaging, a dual-modality fusion conditional denoising diffusion probabilistic model (DM-DDPM) was proposed for high-precision dual-modality image reconstruction. MethodsA dual-encoder network with a symmetric architecture and independently trained parameters was constructed to extract heterogeneous features separately from EIT boundary voltage measurements and MWT scattered field signals. Attentional feature fusion (AFF) is employed to integrate complementary information from the two modalities adaptively, generating robust fused priors that suppress redundant noise while preserving key physical characteristics. Subsequently, the fused priors are embedded into a Transformer-based diffusion model via a cross attention mechanism to guide the reverse denoising process. This approach effectively reduces artifacts and enhances the stability of conductivity distribution reconstruction. Time step embedding is introduced to enable the network to perceive the diffusion stage and further improve the accuracy of noise prediction. ResultsSimulated experiments demonstrated that DM-DDPM significantly outperforms single-modality and multi-modality networks under various noise levels. A head model simulation dataset was constructed based on COMSOL Multiphysics, and tests were carried out under 50 dB, 40 dB and 30 dB signal-to-noise ratio levels. At 30 dB, the average relative error (RE) was below 0.20, while the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) and correlation coefficient (CC) remained above 0.90 and 0.89, respectively. Compared with single-modality and multi-modality networks, artifacts were significantly reduced, lesion edges were clearer, and localization was more accurate. The model maintains high reconstruction quality and strong robustness for single, double, and triple lesions simultaneously. Furthermore, physical experiments were conducted using a 16-electrode EIT system and a 16-antenna MWT system with asynchronous data acquisition. These experiments confirmed the feasibility of the method in real-world scenarios and demonstrated that it can robustly reconstruct simulated lesions despite environmental interference and measurement noise, validating its reliability for practical clinical applications. ConclusionThe proposed method effectively combines complementary dual-modality information with a conditional diffusion model. Low accuracy and poor noise resistance in single-modality imaging were effectively addressed, while the noise amplification issue caused by direct multimodal data fusion was avoided. The proposed algorithm exhibits strong anti-noise interference ability and high imaging stability in both simulation and physical experiments. Precise localization of stroke lesions with different quantities was achieved, providing a high-precision, and practical technical support for clinical stroke detection.
2.Herbal Textual Research on Zanthoxylum armatum and Zanthoxyli Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Yapeng WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):252-262
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, medicinal parts, harvesting and processing, and other aspects of Manjiao and Zanthoxyli Radix by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the relevant modern research materials, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing the two medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Manjiao was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty with aliases such as Zhujiao, Goujiao and Zhijiao. Throughout history, Manjiao was sourced from the stems and roots of Zanthoxylum armatum in the Rutaceae family, and its leaves and fruits can also be used in medicine. The traditional recorded production area was mainly in Yunzhong(now Tuoketuo region in Inner Mongolia), with mentions in Zhejiang, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Taiwan, and other provinces. Presently, this species is distributed from the south of Shandong, to Hainan, Taiwan, Tibet and other regions. The roots can be harvested year-round, while the fruits are harvested in autumn after maturity. In ancient times, the roots and stems were mostly used for brewing or soaking in wine, whereas nowadays, the roots are often sliced and then used as a raw material in traditional Chinese medicine, and the fruits should be stir-fried before use. Manjiao has a bitter taste and warm property, and was historically used to treat wind-cold dampness, joint pain, limb numbness, and knee pain. Modern researches have summarized its effects as dispelling wind, dispersing cold, promoting circulation, and relieving pain, and it is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, toothache, bruises, as well as an anthelmintic. Zanthoxyli Radix initially known as Rudi Jinniugen, recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan of the Qing dynasty, with the alternate name of Liangbianzhen. In recent times, it is more commonly referred to as Liangmianzhen, sourced from the dried roots of Z. nitidum of the Rutaceae family, mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong. It can be harvested throughout the year, cleaned, sliced, and dried after harvesting. Zanthoxyli Radix is pungent, bitter, warm and slightly toxic, with the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, relieving pain, dispelling wind, and resolving swelling. Based on the results of herbal textual research, it is clarified that the ancient Manjiao and the modern Zanthoxyli Radix are not the same species. This article corrects the mistaken belief of by previous scholars that Zanthoxyli Radix is the same as ancient Manjiao, and suggests that formulas described as Manjiao should use Z. armatum as the medicinal herb, while those described as Liangmianzhen or Rudi Jinniu should use Z. nitidum. The processing was performed according to the processing requirements prescribed in the formulas, otherwise, the raw products are recommended for use.
3.Herbal Textual Research on Zanthoxylum armatum and Zanthoxyli Radix in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Yapeng WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):252-262
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, medicinal parts, harvesting and processing, and other aspects of Manjiao and Zanthoxyli Radix by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the relevant modern research materials, in order to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing the two medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Manjiao was first recorded in Shennong Bencaojing of the Han dynasty with aliases such as Zhujiao, Goujiao and Zhijiao. Throughout history, Manjiao was sourced from the stems and roots of Zanthoxylum armatum in the Rutaceae family, and its leaves and fruits can also be used in medicine. The traditional recorded production area was mainly in Yunzhong(now Tuoketuo region in Inner Mongolia), with mentions in Zhejiang, Hunan, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Taiwan, and other provinces. Presently, this species is distributed from the south of Shandong, to Hainan, Taiwan, Tibet and other regions. The roots can be harvested year-round, while the fruits are harvested in autumn after maturity. In ancient times, the roots and stems were mostly used for brewing or soaking in wine, whereas nowadays, the roots are often sliced and then used as a raw material in traditional Chinese medicine, and the fruits should be stir-fried before use. Manjiao has a bitter taste and warm property, and was historically used to treat wind-cold dampness, joint pain, limb numbness, and knee pain. Modern researches have summarized its effects as dispelling wind, dispersing cold, promoting circulation, and relieving pain, and it is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis, toothache, bruises, as well as an anthelmintic. Zanthoxyli Radix initially known as Rudi Jinniugen, recorded in Bencao Qiuyuan of the Qing dynasty, with the alternate name of Liangbianzhen. In recent times, it is more commonly referred to as Liangmianzhen, sourced from the dried roots of Z. nitidum of the Rutaceae family, mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong. It can be harvested throughout the year, cleaned, sliced, and dried after harvesting. Zanthoxyli Radix is pungent, bitter, warm and slightly toxic, with the functions of promoting blood circulation, removing stasis, relieving pain, dispelling wind, and resolving swelling. Based on the results of herbal textual research, it is clarified that the ancient Manjiao and the modern Zanthoxyli Radix are not the same species. This article corrects the mistaken belief of by previous scholars that Zanthoxyli Radix is the same as ancient Manjiao, and suggests that formulas described as Manjiao should use Z. armatum as the medicinal herb, while those described as Liangmianzhen or Rudi Jinniu should use Z. nitidum. The processing was performed according to the processing requirements prescribed in the formulas, otherwise, the raw products are recommended for use.
4.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
5.Herbal Textual Research on Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba in Famous Classical Formulas
Zhen ZENG ; Yanmeng LIU ; Yihan WANG ; Erwei HAO ; Chun YAO ; Zhilai ZHAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(17):193-201
This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name, origin, academic name, medicinal parts, origin, harvesting, processing and other aspects of Abri Herba and Abri Mollis Herba by referring to the herbal medicine, medical books, prescription books and other documents of the past dynasties, combined with the modern literature, so as to provide a basis for the development of famous classical formulas containing this type of medicinal materials. According to the herbal textual research, Abri Herba was first recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu, with other aliases such as Huangtoucao and Xiye Longlincao. It originates from the dried whole plant of Abrus cantoniensis, a Fabaceae plant, which can be used medicinally except for its fruits. Currently, this species is mainly distributed in Guangdong and Guangxi, and also found in Hunan and Thailand, it can be harvested throughout the year, mainly in spring and autumn. The roots, stems, and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, but the pods are toxic and need to be removed. After harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and processed for medicinal use. Abri Herba has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, it is used for clearing heat and relieving dampness, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is mainly used to treat jaundice-type hepatitis, stomach pain, rheumatic bone pain, contusion and ecchymosis pain, and mastitis. Abri Mollis Herba was first recorded in the 1982 edition of Zhongyaozhi as another origin for Abri Herba, and was singled out in some monographs such as Xinhua Bencao Gangyao in 1988 for use, while some other monographs use it as a local habitual products or confused products of Abri Herba with aliases such as Daye Jigucao, Qingtingteng, and Maoxiangsi. It comes from the dried whole herb of A. mollis without pods, and is mainly produced in Guangxi and Guangdong, and occasionally found in Hong Kong, Hainan and Fujian. The collection and processing are similar to Abri Herba, after harvesting, impurities and pods are removed, and it is dried and cut for medicinal use. Abri Mollis Herba has a sweet and light taste, is cool in nature, and is associated with the liver and stomach meridians, with the efficacy of clearing heat and detoxifying, and promoting dampness, it is mainly used to treat infectious hepatitis, mastitis, furuncles, burns and scalds, and pediatric malnutrition. Based on the research, A. mollis was first recorded to be used as a medicine in the same origin as A. cantoniensis, and as plants of the same genus, have similar morphological characteristics, and their medicinal parts, collection and processing, properties and flavors, and meridian affiliations are consistent. And in the folk, Abri Mollis Herba is often used as Abri Herba, which has been used for a long time and is now dominated by the cultivation of A. mollis. So it is recommended that the subsequent version of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should include A. mollis in the origin of Abri Herba, and it is also recommended that in famous classical formulas refered to Jiguccao can use A. cantoniensis and A. mollis as the sources of the herb, refered to Mao Jiguccao can use A. mollis as the sources of the herb. Processing is carried out according to the requirements specified in the original formulas, and raw products are recommended to be included in the medicine if there are no requirements.
6.Establishment and evaluation of a predictive model for spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer
Hong-Yan WEI ; Yong-Zhen CHEN ; Ren-Hai TIAN ; Li-Xian CHANG ; Ying-Yuan ZHANG ; Dan-Qing XU ; Chun-Yun LIU ; Li LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):949-957
Objective To establish and evaluate a nomogram prediction model for spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 1298 patients with HBV-related primary liver cancer hospitalized in the Kunming Third People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2022.General data and serological indicators were collected,and patients were divided into infection group(n=262)and control group(n=1036)based on the occurrence of spontaneous peritonitis.Univariate and LASSO regression analyses were used to screen variables,followed by binary logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients,leading to the establishment of a nomogram prediction model.Finally,the Hosmer-lemeshow(H-L)goodness of fit test,receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,calibration curve,decision curve analysis(DCA)and clinical impact curve(CIC)were utilized to evaluate the fit degree,accuracy,calibration,and clinical practicability of the nomogram prediction model.Results Single factor analysis revealed significant differences between infection group and control group in portal vein cancer thrombus(PVTT),Child-Pugh grade,China Liver Cancer Staging(CNLC)stage,alcohol consumption history,smoking history,white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil count(NE),hemoglobin(Hb),fibrinogen(FIB),abnormal prothrombin(PIVKA-Ⅱ),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total protein(TP),prealbumin(PA),γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),cholinesterase(CHE),total bile acid(TBA),total cholesterol(TC),low density lipoprotein(LDL),creatinine(Cr),HBV DNA,CD3+T cells count,CD4+T cells count,CD8+T cells count,CD4+T cells/CD8+T cells ratio,procalcitonin(PCT),serum amyloid A(SAA),interleukin-6(IL-6),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),and IL-4(P<0.05).LASSO regression analysis identified 5 variables:Child-Pugh grade,PVTT,WBC,CHE and hs-CRP.Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that Child-Pugh grade(Grade B:OR=5.780,95%CI 3.271-10.213,P<0.001;Grade C:OR=14.818,95%CI 7.697-28.526,P<0.001),PVTT(OR=2.893,95%CI 2.037-4.108,P<0.001),WBC(OR=1.088,95%CI 1.031-1.148,P=0.002),and hs-CRP(OR=1.005,95%CI 1.001-1.010,P=0.026)were the independent risk factors of spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients.Using these 4 variables,a nomogram prediction model was constructed and evaluated.The P-value of the H-L goodness of fit test was 0.760.Moreover,the area under ROC curve(AUC)was 0.866,with a sensitivity of 0.870 and a specificity of 0.716.The average absolute error of the calibration curve is 0.022.DCA and CIC analyses demonstrated that the nomogram prediction model possessed some clinical utility.Conclusion The nomogram prediction model for spontaneous peritonitis in HBV-related primary liver cancer patients,constructed using Child-Pugh grade,PVTT,WBC and hs-CRP,exhibits a high fitting degree and accuracy,with the prediction probability highly consistent with the actual occurrence probability,and possesses certain clinical practicability.
7.Modulation of cardiac inflammation by Qifu Yixin Granules in rats with heart failure via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway
Qian-rong LI ; Xiao-dong ZHI ; Bing JIANG ; Chun-ling WANG ; Chun-zhen REN ; Xin-ke ZHAO ; Kai LIU ; Ying-dong LI
Chinese Traditional Patent Medicine 2025;47(8):2535-2541
AIM To investigate the effects of Qifu Yixin Granules on cardiac inflammation in a rat model of heart failure.METHODS The rats were induced into chronic heart failure(CHF)models by 6-week intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin followed by the random assignment of the successful rat models into the model group,the captopril group(22.5 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Qifu Yixin Granules groups(2.84,5.67,11.34 g/kg),in contrast to the normal rats of the blank group.The rats had their body weight monitored;their cardiac function assessed by echocardiography;their serum levels of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP measured by ELISA;their cardiac morphological alterations observed by HE and Masson staining;their cardiac protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot;and their cardiac mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB measured by RT-qPCR.RESULTS Compared to the blank group,the model group exhibited significantly reduced body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P<0.01),alongside significantly elevated LVEDD,LVESD,and serum concentrations of NT-proBNP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 and CRP(P<0.01).Additionally,the model group displayed greater myocardial inflammatory cell aggregation,increased collagen deposition(P<0.01);and upregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P<0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with captopril or medium/high dose Qifu Yixin Granules demonstrated significantly increased body weight,LVEF and LVFS(P<0.05,P<0.01);significantly reduced LVEDD,LVESD,and serum levels of the aforementioned indicators(P<0.05,P<0.01);mitigated inflammation and collagen deposition(P<0.05,P<0.01);and downregulated myocardial protein and mRNA expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and NF-κB(P<0.05,P<0.01).CONCLUSION Qifu Yixin Granules attenuate cardiac inflammation and improve cardiac function in doxorubicin-induced CHF rats;this therapeutic effect is mediated by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
8.Characteristics of Gut Microbiota Changes and Their Relationship with Infectious Complications During Induction Chemotherapy in AML Patients.
Quan-Lei ZHANG ; Li-Li DONG ; Lin-Lin ZHANG ; Yu-Juan WU ; Meng LI ; Jian BO ; Li-Li WANG ; Yu JING ; Li-Ping DOU ; Dai-Hong LIU ; Zhen-Yang GU ; Chun-Ji GAO
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(3):738-744
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the characteristics of gut microbiota changes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) undergoing induction chemotherapy and to explore the relationship between infectious complications and gut microbiota.
METHODS:
Fecal samples were collected from 37 newly diagnosed AML patients at four time points: before induction chemotherapy, during chemotherapy, during the neutropenic phase, and during the recovery phase. Metagenomic sequencing was used to analyze the dynamic changes in gut microbiota. Correlation analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between changes in gut microbiota and the occurrence of infectious complications.
RESULTS:
During chemotherapy, the gut microbiota α-diversity (Shannon index) of AML patients exhibited significant fluctuations. Specifically, the diversity decreased significantly during induction chemotherapy, further declined during the neutropenic phase (P < 0.05, compared to baseline), and gradually recovered during the recovery phase, though not fully returning to baseline levels.The abundances of beneficial bacteria, such as Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, gradually decreased during chemotherapy, whereas the abundances of opportunistic pathogens, including Enterococcus, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli, progressively increased.Analysis of the dynamic changes in gut microbiota of seven patients with bloodstream infections revealed that the bloodstream infection pathogens could be detected in the gut microbiota of the corresponding patients, with their abundance gradually increasing during the course of infection. This finding suggests that bloodstream infections may be associated with opportunistic pathogens originating from the gut microbiota.Compared to non-infected patients, the baseline samples of infected patients showed a significantly lower relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (P < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that Bacteroidetes abundance is an independent predictive factor for infectious complications (P < 0.05, OR =13.143).
CONCLUSION
During induction chemotherapy in AML patients, gut microbiota α-diversity fluctuates significantly, and the abundance of opportunistic pathogens increase, which may be associated with bloodstream infections. Patients with lower baseline Bacteroidetes abundance are more prone to infections, and its abundance can serve as an independent predictor of infectious complications.
Humans
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
;
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/microbiology*
;
Induction Chemotherapy
;
Feces/microbiology*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
9.Effect of Hesperidin on Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress-Related Depression in Rats through Gut-Brain Axis Pathway.
Hui-Qing LIANG ; Shao-Dong CHEN ; Yu-Jie WANG ; Xiao-Ting ZHENG ; Yao-Yu LIU ; Zhen-Ying GUO ; Chun-Fang ZHANG ; Hong-Li ZHUANG ; Si-Jie CHENG ; Xiao-Hong GU
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(10):908-917
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the pharmacological impact of hesperidin, the main component of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, on depressive behavior and elucidate the mechanism by which hesperidin treats depression, focusing on the gut-brain axis.
METHODS:
Fifty-four Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly allocated to 6 groups using a random number table, including control, model, hesperidin, probiotics, fluoxetine, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium groups. Except for the control group, rats in the remaining 5 groups were challenged with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) for 21 days and housed in single cages. The sucrose preference test (SPT), immobility time in the forced swim test (FST), and number in the open field test (OFT) were performed to measure the behavioral changes in the rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain tissue, and the histopathology was performed to evaluate the changes of colon tissue, together with sequencing of the V3-V4 regions of 16S rRNA gene on feces to explore the changes of intestinal flora in the rats.
RESULTS:
Compared to the control group, the rats in the model group showed notable reductions in body weight, SPF, and number in OFT (P<0.01). Hesperidin was found to ameliorate depression induced by CUMS, as seen by improvements in body weight, SPT, immobility time in FST, and number in OFT (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Regarding neurotransmitters, it was found that at a dose of 50 mg/kg hesperidin treatment upregulated the levels of 5-HT and BDNF in depressed rats (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the colon tissue of the model group exhibited greater inflammatory cell infiltration, with markedly reduced numbers of goblet cells and crypts and were significantly improved following treatment with hesperidin. Simultaneously, the administration of hesperidin demonstrated a positive impact on the gut microbiome of rats treated with CUMS, such as Shannon index increased and Simpson index decreased (P<0.01), while the abundance of Pseudomonadota and Bacteroidota increased in the hesperidin-treated group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The mechanism responsible for the beneficial effects of hesperidin on depressive behavior in rats may be related to inhibition of the expressions of BDNF and 5-HT and preservation of the gut microbiota.
Animals
;
Hesperidin/therapeutic use*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Depression/drug therapy*
;
Male
;
Stress, Psychological/drug therapy*
;
Brain/metabolism*
;
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism*
;
Serotonin/metabolism*
;
Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects*
;
Behavior, Animal/drug effects*
;
Rats
;
Brain-Gut Axis/drug effects*
;
Chronic Disease
;
Colon/drug effects*
10.Hippocampal Extracellular Matrix Protein Laminin β1 Regulates Neuropathic Pain and Pain-Related Cognitive Impairment.
Ying-Chun LI ; Pei-Yang LIU ; Hai-Tao LI ; Shuai WANG ; Yun-Xin SHI ; Zhen-Zhen LI ; Wen-Guang CHU ; Xia LI ; Wan-Neng LIU ; Xing-Xing ZHENG ; Fei WANG ; Wen-Juan HAN ; Jie ZHANG ; Sheng-Xi WU ; Rou-Gang XIE ; Ceng LUO
Neuroscience Bulletin 2025;41(12):2127-2147
Patients suffering from nerve injury often experience exacerbated pain responses and complain of memory deficits. The dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a well-defined region responsible for learning and memory, displays maladaptive plasticity upon injury, which is assumed to underlie pain hypersensitivity and cognitive deficits. However, much attention has thus far been paid to intracellular mechanisms of plasticity rather than extracellular alterations that might trigger and facilitate intracellular changes. Emerging evidence has shown that nerve injury alters the microarchitecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and decreases ECM rigidity in the dHPC. Despite this, it remains elusive which element of the ECM in the dHPC is affected and how it contributes to neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits. Laminin, a key element of the ECM, consists of α-, β-, and γ-chains and has been implicated in several pathophysiological processes. Here, we showed that peripheral nerve injury downregulates laminin β1 (LAMB1) in the dHPC. Silencing of hippocampal LAMB1 exacerbates pain sensitivity and induces cognitive dysfunction. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that loss of hippocampal LAMB1 causes dysregulated Src/NR2A signaling cascades via interaction with integrin β1, leading to decreased Ca2+ levels in pyramidal neurons, which in turn orchestrates structural and functional plasticity and eventually results in exaggerated pain responses and cognitive deficits. In this study, we shed new light on the functional capability of hippocampal ECM LAMB1 in the modulation of neuropathic pain and comorbid cognitive deficits, and reveal a mechanism that conveys extracellular alterations to intracellular plasticity. Moreover, we identified hippocampal LAMB1/integrin β1 signaling as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of neuropathic pain and related memory loss.
Animals
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Laminin/genetics*
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Hippocampus/metabolism*
;
Neuralgia/metabolism*
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Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology*
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Male
;
Peripheral Nerve Injuries/metabolism*
;
Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*
;
Integrin beta1/metabolism*
;
Pyramidal Cells/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction

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