1.The Mechanism of Exercise Regulating Intestinal Flora in The Prevention and Treatment of Depression
Lei-Zi MIN ; Jing-Tong WANG ; Qing-Yuan WANG ; Yi-Cong CUI ; Rui WANG ; Xin-Dong MA
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1418-1434
Depression, a prevalent mental disorder with significant socioeconomic burdens, underscores the urgent need for safe and effective non-pharmacological interventions. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed the pivotal role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of depression. Concurrently, exercise, as a cost-effective and accessible intervention, has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence on the interplay among exercise, gut microbiota modulation, and depression, elucidating the mechanistic pathways through which exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms via the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Depression is characterized by gut microbiota alterations, including reduced alpha and beta diversity, depletion of beneficial taxa (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Coprococcus), and overgrowth of pro-inflammatory and pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Morganella, Klebsiella, and Enterobacteriaceae). Metagenomic analyses reveal disrupted metabolic functions in depressive patients, such as diminished synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), impaired tryptophan metabolism, and dysregulated bile acid conversion. For instance, Bifidobacterium longum deficiency correlates with reduced synthesis of neuroactive metabolites like homovanillic acid, while decreased Coprococcus abundance limits butyrate production, exacerbating neuroinflammation. Furthermore, elevated levels of indole derivatives from Clostridium species inhibit serotonin (5-HT) synthesis, contributing to depressive phenotypes. These dysbiotic profiles disrupt the MGB axis, triggering systemic inflammation, neurotransmitter imbalances, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis hyperactivity. Exercise exerts profound effects on gut microbiota composition, diversity, and metabolic activity. Longitudinal studies demonstrate that sustained aerobic exercise increases alpha diversity, enriches SCFA-producing genera (e.g., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia, and Akkermansia), and suppresses pathobionts (e.g., Desulfovibrio and Streptococcus). For example, a meta-analysis of 25 trials involving 1 044 participants confirmed that exercise enhances microbial richness and restores the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, a biomarker of metabolic health. Notably, endurance training promotes Veillonella proliferation, which converts lactate into propionate, enhancing energy metabolism and delaying fatigue. Exercise also strengthens intestinal barrier integrity by upregulating tight junction proteins (e.g., ZO-1, occludin), thereby reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) translocation and systemic inflammation. However, excessive exercise may paradoxically diminish microbial diversity and exacerbate intestinal permeability, highlighting the importance of moderate intensity and duration. Exercise ameliorates depressive symptoms through multifaceted interactions with the gut microbiota, primarily via 4 interconnected pathways. First, exercise mitigates neuroinflammation by elevating anti-inflammatory SCFAs such as butyrate, which suppresses NF-κB signaling to attenuate microglial activation and oxidative stress in the hippocampus. Animal studies demonstrate that voluntary wheel running reduces hippocampal TNF‑α and IL-17 levels in stress-induced depression models, while fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from exercised mice reverses depressive behaviors by modulating the TLR4/NF‑κB pathway. Second, exercise regulates neurotransmitter dynamics by enriching GABA-producing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, thereby counteracting neuronal hyperexcitability. Aerobic exercise also enhances the abundance of Lactobacillus plantarum and Streptococcus thermophilus, which facilitate 5-HT and dopamine synthesis. Clinical trials reveal that 12 weeks of moderate exercise increases fecal Coprococcus and Blautia abundance, correlating with improved 5-HT bioavailability and reduced depression scores. Third, exercise normalizes HPA axis hyperactivity by reducing cortisol levels and restoring glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity. In rodent models, chronic stress-induced corticosterone elevation is reversed by probiotic supplementation (e.g., Lactobacillus), which enhances endocannabinoid signaling and hippocampal neurogenesis. Furthermore, exercise upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) via microbial metabolites like butyrate, promoting histone acetylation and synaptic plasticity. FMT experiments confirm that exercise-induced microbiota elevates prefrontal BDNF expression, reversing stress-induced neuronal atrophy. Fourth, exercise reshapes microbial metabolic crosstalk, diverting tryptophan metabolism toward 5-HT synthesis instead of neurotoxic kynurenine derivatives. Butyrate inhibits indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a key enzyme in the kynurenine pathway linked to depression. Concurrently, exercise-induced Akkermansia enrichment enhances mucin production, fortifies the gut barrier, and reduces LPS-driven neuroinflammation. Collectively, these mechanisms underscore exercise as a potent modulator of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, offering a holistic approach to alleviating depression through microbial and neurophysiological synergy. Current evidence supports exercise as a potent adjunct therapy for depression, with personalized regimens (e.g., aerobic, resistance, or yoga) tailored to individual microbiota profiles. However, challenges remain in optimizing exercise prescriptions (intensity, duration, and type) and integrating them with probiotics, prebiotics, or FMT for synergistic effects. Future research should prioritize large-scale randomized controlled trials to validate causality, multi-omics approaches to decipher MGB axis dynamics, and mechanistic studies exploring microbial metabolites as therapeutic targets. The authors advocate for a paradigm shift toward microbiota-centric interventions, emphasizing the bidirectional relationship between physical activity and gut ecosystem resilience in mental health management. In conclusion, this review underscores exercise as a multifaceted modulator of the gut-brain axis, offering novel insights into non-pharmacological strategies for depression. By bridging microbial ecology, neuroimmunology, and exercise physiology, this work lays a foundation for precision medicine approaches targeting the gut microbiota to alleviate depressive disorders.
2.Effect of miR-129-3p mimetic on bone loss in tail-suspended mice
Yi WU ; Zi-dong AN ; Yong-jie PANG ; Li-qiang WANG ; Xin-yang WANG ; Yu-hai GAO ; Xue-yan LI ; Ke-ming CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(4):703-709
Aim To study whether intravenous injec-tion of miR-129-3p mimetic(agomir)can resist bone loss caused by hind limb disuse,and to provide new i-deas for preventing bone loss in microgravity environ-ment.Methods Forty-eight C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into the control group(CON),tail suspension model group(TS),tail suspension+miR-129-3p agomir administration group(miRNA)and tail suspension+miR-129-3p negative sequence agomir control group(NC).The miRNA group was given 4 mg·kg-1 miR-129-3p agomir by intravenous injection into the medial canthus twice a week.The NC agomir group were consistent with those in the miR-129-3p agomir group,and the CON and TS groups were given only equal volumes of normal saline.After four weeks,all mice were sacrificed and samples were collected.Micro-CT scan of femur,three-point femur bending test,serum bone metabolism index detection,oxidative stress index detection and osteogenesis-related protein expression analysis in bone tissue were per-formed.Results After four weeks,the number of tra-becular bone in the TS group was significantly re-duced,and Tb.BMD,Tb.Th,Tb.N,Tb.BS/TV and Tb.BV/TV were significantly lower than those in the CON group(P<0.01).While Tb.Sp TS group was significantly higher than the CON group(P<0.05),the maximum load and flexural strength of the femur significantly decreased(P<0.01),the content of ser-um bone formation index PINP was significantly lower than that of the CON group(P<0.01),and the con-tent of bone resorption index CTX-I was significantly higher than that of the CON group(P<0.01),the content of serum oxidative damage indexes 8-iso-PGF2α and 8-OHdG significantly increased(P<0.01),and the expression of osteogenesis-related pro-teins in bone tissue markedly decreased(P<0.01).However,the increase or decrease of all indexes in miRNA group was significantly lower than that in TS group.Conclusions miR-129-3p mimetic can signifi-cantly reduce bone loss caused by hind limb disuse.This experiment provides a new idea and method for preventing bone loss in microgravity environment.
3.Feasibility study of using clinical trial individual-level data sample bank as external control to support drug and device development:taking transcatheter aortic valve replacement device as an example
Xiao-ying LIN ; Chi-lie DANZENG ; Duo-er WANG ; Ying-xuan ZHU ; Ye LU ; Fan GAO ; Yuan-xin LI ; Meng-zhu SU ; Zi-long ZHANG ; Min CHEN ; Qi-ze LI ; Ru JIANG ; Yan-yan ZHAO ; Yang WANG
Chinese Journal of Interventional Cardiology 2025;33(8):459-466
Objective To explore the feasibility and corresponding implementation methods of constructing a sample resource bank based on individual-level data of completed clinical trials and using it to construct external controls for drug/device clinical trials.Methods Taking the pre-marketing clinical trial of transcatheter active valve replacement(TAVR)for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis as an example,the individual-level databases of multiple trials were standardized to form a sample bank.The original data of any trial in the sample bank were selected as the experimental group,and the remaining samples were selected as the control group.The potential confounding was handled by using the propensity score matching and stratification methods to clarify the process of constructing external controls based on the sample bank of individual-level data of clinical trials.Results This study included individual-level data of single-group trials of 4 TAVR devices,with a total of 569 subjects(59.2%male).The number of subjects in Trials 1 to 4 was 120,120,163,and 166,respectively.Propensity score matching enabled the matching of 113,117,125,and 147 subjects with comparable or similar characteristics from individual-level data from other trials,respectively,demonstrating a high matching success rate.The PS score distribution plot after stratification showed that the proportions of subjects in the experimental and control groups in strata 1 to 5 in scheme 1 were 4/103,11/103,22/92,32/87,and 51/64,respectively.For all constructed external controlled trials,a certain number of control samples with similar baseline characteristics to the experimental groups were distributed within each propensity score stratum.The results of the simulation test also reflected the potential differences between different devices in the 12-month all-cause mortality rate.Conclusions The sample bank constructed with individual-level data from clinical trials,as a high-quality data source,can serve as a source of external control for single-arm trials in the same field,and as a useful supplement to the external control scenario of real-world evidence to support drug and device development.At the same time,targeted research on research methods and bias control measures in related fields is also needed.
4.Administrative burden among primary healthcare professionals and its impact mechanism on job burnout:An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study
Shi-chao ZHAO ; Ming-ze XIN ; Zi-qian TANG ; Ya-fang DONG ; He-xi LI ; Hui-fen MA ; Tao WANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(9):31-38
Objective:To examine the manifestations and causes of administrative burden among primary healthcare professionals,and to explore its impact on job burnout through the mediating role of role conflict,providing theoretical and empirical support for governance-level burden-reduction strategies.Methods:An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed,focusing on primary healthcare professionals in Shandong Province.In the first phase,in-depth interviews were conducted with 175 participants;in the second phase,a questionnaire survey of 1,096 participants and follow-up interviews with 107 participants were carried out.Results:The proportions of respondents who reported"heavy"or"very heavy"burdens were 62.7%for inspection,54.8%for documentation,51.8%for reporting,and 24.4%for meetings.Structural equation modeling showed that administrative burden had a direct effect on job burnout(0.150)and an indirect effect through role conflict(0.093).Qualitative findings further indicated that administrative burden largely stemmed from public health traceability requirements and medical insurance policies,and operated through both resource-based and value-based conflicts.Conclusions:Primary healthcare professionals face considerable administrative burdens,which may heighten job burnout through role conflict.Governance reforms should optimize inspection and assessment,streamline data reporting,refine record-keeping,and promote collaborative governance to break the chain of institutional pressure leading to burnout.
5.Review of application scope of mobile medical devices combined with EMA method for lung cancer patient caring
Zi-dan WANG ; Hong-yue WU ; Bing LI ; Xin-tong ZHENG ; Jun-ling LIU ; Ying-nan ZHAO ; Yan LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):71-77
Relevant literature on mobile medical devices combined with the ecological momentary assessment(EMA)method applied to lung cancer patient caring was collected from some databases of CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,China Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,CINAHL and Web of Science.The method of scoping review was used to sort out the general characteristics of the included literature,types and application of mobile medical devices,assessment content elements and outcome indicators.The feasibility and validity of mobile medical devices combined with the EMA method for the symptom assessment of lung cancer patients were described,whose advantages in monitoring during lung cancer caring and application prospects were elaborated.The problems of mobile medical devices during practical application were pointed out and some countermeasures were put forward accordingly.References were provided for personalized remote caring of lung cancer patients and development of intelligent multi-modal mobile devices.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):71-77]
6.Advances in DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and depression
Zi-yun LIAO ; Meng-yu WANG ; Jing-yi QIAO ; Run ZHANG ; Pei-dong LIU ; Xin-wang CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):825-829
Depression is a heterogeneous mental disorder in which the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environ-mental factors plays a key role in its pathogenesis.Although the specific mechanisms of the disease still need to be thoroughly studied and elucidated,there is now a broad consensus that epi-genetic markers have a central influence on its mechanism of ac-tion.DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BD-NF)is not only regarded as a promising epigenetic biomarker of pathology,but may also help predict the efficacy of antidepres-sants.In this paper we reviewed the gene structure of BDNF and its DNA methylation regulation mechanism,and also analyzed the changes of DNA methylation of this factor in depression pa-tients and animal models,aiming to provide new ideas and theo-retical support for clinical research.
7.Effect of trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange on early postoperative atelectasis in patients undergoing prolonged gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures
Xinyi WANG ; Xin LIU ; Zi WANG ; Siyuan SONG ; Mingzhu MENG ; Ju GAO
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2025;45(10):1269-1274
Objective:To evaluate the effect of trans-nasal humidified rapid insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) on the early postoperative atelectasis in patients undergoing prolonged non-intubated intravenous anesthesia for gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.Methods:In this randomized double-blind controlled trial, 150 patients of either sex, aged 18-80 yr, with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ and body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for endoscopic mucosal resection of multiple colorectal polyps at Northern Jiangsu People′s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from February 18 to June 15, 2024, were divided into 2 groups ( n=75 each) using simple random allocation: THRIVE group (group T) and conventional oxygen therapy group (group C). In group T, the oxygen flow rate was 10 L/min before anesthesia induction and increased to 50 L/min after induction until the end of operation, and the inhaled oxygen concentration was 100%. Group C used conventional mask oxygen inhalation, with an oxygen flow rate of 10 L/min during anesthesia induction and maintenance. Lung ultrasonography was performed immediately before anesthesia induction and after the end of surgery, and the modified lung ultrasound score and diaphragm mobility during quiet breathing were recorded to assess the occurrence of atelectasis and diaphragmatic dysfunction. The lowest intraoperative SpO 2 value, adverse events during surgery and in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), duration of PACU stay, adverse events within 7 days after operation, hospitalization duration, and satisfaction scores of both patients and endoscopists were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the postoperative modified lung ultrasound score and incidence of atelectasis and diaphragmatic dysfunction were significantly decreased, the lowest intraoperative SpO 2 value was increased, the incidence of hypoxemia was decreased, the duration of PACU stay was shortened, and endoscopists′ satisfaction scores were increased ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were observed in diaphragm mobility, incidence of other intraoperative adverse events, incidence of adverse events during PACU stay and within 7 days after operation, or patients′ satisfaction scores in group T ( P>0.05). Conclusions:THRIVE can reduce the risk of early postoperative atelectasis and intraoperative hypoxemia, thereby promoting postoperative recovery of patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy under long-term non-intubated anesthesia.
8.Advances in DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and depression
Zi-yun LIAO ; Meng-yu WANG ; Jing-yi QIAO ; Run ZHANG ; Pei-dong LIU ; Xin-wang CHEN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2025;41(5):825-829
Depression is a heterogeneous mental disorder in which the interaction between genetic susceptibility and environ-mental factors plays a key role in its pathogenesis.Although the specific mechanisms of the disease still need to be thoroughly studied and elucidated,there is now a broad consensus that epi-genetic markers have a central influence on its mechanism of ac-tion.DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BD-NF)is not only regarded as a promising epigenetic biomarker of pathology,but may also help predict the efficacy of antidepres-sants.In this paper we reviewed the gene structure of BDNF and its DNA methylation regulation mechanism,and also analyzed the changes of DNA methylation of this factor in depression pa-tients and animal models,aiming to provide new ideas and theo-retical support for clinical research.
9.Administrative burden among primary healthcare professionals and its impact mechanism on job burnout:An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study
Shi-chao ZHAO ; Ming-ze XIN ; Zi-qian TANG ; Ya-fang DONG ; He-xi LI ; Hui-fen MA ; Tao WANG
Chinese Journal of Health Policy 2025;18(9):31-38
Objective:To examine the manifestations and causes of administrative burden among primary healthcare professionals,and to explore its impact on job burnout through the mediating role of role conflict,providing theoretical and empirical support for governance-level burden-reduction strategies.Methods:An exploratory sequential mixed-methods design was employed,focusing on primary healthcare professionals in Shandong Province.In the first phase,in-depth interviews were conducted with 175 participants;in the second phase,a questionnaire survey of 1,096 participants and follow-up interviews with 107 participants were carried out.Results:The proportions of respondents who reported"heavy"or"very heavy"burdens were 62.7%for inspection,54.8%for documentation,51.8%for reporting,and 24.4%for meetings.Structural equation modeling showed that administrative burden had a direct effect on job burnout(0.150)and an indirect effect through role conflict(0.093).Qualitative findings further indicated that administrative burden largely stemmed from public health traceability requirements and medical insurance policies,and operated through both resource-based and value-based conflicts.Conclusions:Primary healthcare professionals face considerable administrative burdens,which may heighten job burnout through role conflict.Governance reforms should optimize inspection and assessment,streamline data reporting,refine record-keeping,and promote collaborative governance to break the chain of institutional pressure leading to burnout.
10.Review of application scope of mobile medical devices combined with EMA method for lung cancer patient caring
Zi-dan WANG ; Hong-yue WU ; Bing LI ; Xin-tong ZHENG ; Jun-ling LIU ; Ying-nan ZHAO ; Yan LI
Chinese Medical Equipment Journal 2025;46(10):71-77
Relevant literature on mobile medical devices combined with the ecological momentary assessment(EMA)method applied to lung cancer patient caring was collected from some databases of CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,China Biomedical Literature Database,PubMed,Embase,Cochrane Library,CINAHL and Web of Science.The method of scoping review was used to sort out the general characteristics of the included literature,types and application of mobile medical devices,assessment content elements and outcome indicators.The feasibility and validity of mobile medical devices combined with the EMA method for the symptom assessment of lung cancer patients were described,whose advantages in monitoring during lung cancer caring and application prospects were elaborated.The problems of mobile medical devices during practical application were pointed out and some countermeasures were put forward accordingly.References were provided for personalized remote caring of lung cancer patients and development of intelligent multi-modal mobile devices.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):71-77]

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