1.Application of three-dimensional hepatocyte models in drug-induced liver injury
Ziting LI ; Ke ZHANG ; Feng ZHAO ; Yinling MA
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(9):1931-1936
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the main cause of failures in drug development and the withdrawal of approved drugs from the market, and therefore, there is an increasing demand for accurate prediction and in vitro testing. However, the two-dimensional cell culture system of hepatocytes is not suitable for the toxicity study of long-term drug use due to the fact that it cannot accurately simulate and reproduce the real environment and micro-ecosystem of hepatocytes in vivo. In view of this, there is an urgent need for liver models with higher predictability to assess the hepatotoxicity of drugs in drug development and the safety evaluation of active compounds. This article reviews the construction and application of three-dimensional in vitro hepatocyte culture systems for DILI, in order to provide a reference for their effective implementation in DILI analysis.
2.Effects of Fibrin-derived Peptide Bβ15-42 on Mitophagy in AKI with Ischemia-reperfusion at the Cellular Level
Ziting ZHANG ; Jundan JIA ; Wenfang QIU
Journal of Medical Research 2024;53(6):65-69
Objective To investigate the effects of fibrin-derived peptide Bβ15-42(FgBβ15-42)on mitophagy in acute kidney injury(AKI)with ischemia-reperfusion at the cellular level.Methods Human kidney-2(HK2)cells were cultured in vitro and ran-domly divided into five groups:normal control group(Control group),hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)model group(H/R group),H/R+9μmol/L FgBβ15-42 peptide group(Fg group),H/R+20μmol/L chloroquine group(CQ group),and H/R+9μmol/L FgBβ15-42 peptide+20μmol/L chloroquine group(Fg+CQ group).Control group:cells were homogenized and replaced with complete medium and incubated in an aerobic incubator(5%CO2,21%O2)for 28hours.H/R group:cells were added to sugar-free and serum-free DMEM/F12medium and then placed in a hypoxic incubator(5%CO2,1%O2 and 94%N2)for 24hours,washed with PBS and added to DMEM/F12medium containing serum and then placed in a reoxygenated environment(5%CO2,21%O2)for 4hours.Fg group:mod-eled according to the above method,intervention was performed by adding FgBβ15-42 peptide 9μmol/L to the complete medium when reoxygenation was performed after the completion of hypoxia.CQ group:pre-treatment with chloroquine(20μmol/L)in serum-free medium at the time of homogenization,with the same post-procedural steps as in the H/R group.Fg+CQ group:the intervention was performed according to the dosing sequence of the CQ group and FgBβ15-42 group at different time periods as mentioned above,and the modeling time of the H/R group.After the intervention,CCK-8 was used to detect the cell viability of HK2.The mitochondrial morphol-ogy,mitophagosome structure and number were observed by electron microscope.The expression levels of autophagy related proteins p62 and LC3 were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the control group,the survival rate of H/R group was decreased(P<0.01);the mitochondrial damage was obvious,such as swelling and spinous rupture,and the number of mitophagosomes increased.The expression of autophagy protein LC-3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ was up-regulated(P<0.05),and the expression of autophagy substrate protein p62 was down-regulated(P<0.01).Compared with H/R group,the survival rate of Fg,CQ and Fg+CQ groups increased(P<0.01),mito-phagosome was decreased.the expression of LC-3 Ⅱ/Ⅰ was down-regulated(P<0.01),the expression of p62 was up-regulated(P<0.05),and autophagy was inhibited.Conclusion The intervention of FgBβ15-42 peptide can reduce the level of autophagy and mitophagy in H/R-AKI cells,and has a protective effect on H/R injury in HK2 cells.
3.The diagnostic study of second-generation motion correction algorithm in improving the accuracy of CT-derived fractional flow reserve calculations
Wenli YANG ; Ziting LAN ; Lihua YU ; Yarong YU ; Xu DAI ; Shuai ZHANG ; Nianyun LI ; Jiayin ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Radiology 2024;58(7):721-728
Objective:To investigate the diagnostic performance of CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) derived from standard images (STD), images processed by first-generation (SSF1) and second-generation (SSF2) whole-heart motion correction algorithm, respectively.Methods:Patients who underwent both coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) with FFR examination within 3 months in Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univerisity School of Medicine from January 2020 to December 2022 were screened in this retrospective study. Totally of 121 patients (134 lesions) were finally included in the study. CCTA images were reconstructed using iterative reconstruction, iterative reconstruction plus SSF1 and SSF2 algorithms. All images were divided into three groups: STD group, SSF1 group, and SSF2 group. The image quality of the CCTA images was assessed using the Likert scale, and differences between the two groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis test. The correlation and consistency between CT-FFR and FFR were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman plots. The diagnostic performance of CCTA and CT-FFR from three groups was compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:Compared to the STD group and SSF1 group, the SSF2 group showed the best performance in image quality score (median=3.7). Best correlation ( r=0.652, P<0.001) and consistency (mean difference=0.03) between CT-FFR and FFR were observed in SSF2 group. ROC analysis results revealed that, at the per-lesion level, in the diagnosis of ischemic lesions, the diagnostic performance of CT-FFR in the SSF2 group was significantly better than that of the SSF1 group (AUC=0.88 vs. 0.76, P=0.003), while no significant difference was observed between STD group and SSF1 group ( P=0.125). At the per-patient level, the SSF2 group also demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance. Conclusion:The SSF2 algorithm significantly improved CCTA image quality and enhanced its diagnostic performance for evaluating stenosis severity and CT-FFR calculations.
4.Brain Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Treated with Acupuncture:Based on Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ziting WU ; Ni LIU ; Yanan ZHANG ; Tingting LIANG ; Xuanzhi LUO ; Qing ZHANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;65(5):495-502
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) of breast cancer based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). MethodTwenty-five patients with CRCI of breast cancer were included and treated with the acupuncture based on the method of regulating qi and blood, nourishing mind and benefiting intelligence; the selected acupoints included Zusanli (ST 36, bilateral), Xuehai (SP 10, bilateral), Tanzhong (CV 17), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16, bilateral), Xinshu (BL 15, bilateral), Tongli (HT 5, bilateral), Zhaohai (KI 6, bilateral), Yixi (BL 45, bilateral) twice a week, each time interval of 2
5.The correlation between cardiac polyps and abnormal gastroesophageal flap valve: a retrospective case-control study
Huanyu ZHANG ; Xin JIANG ; Bangjie LIU ; Ziting MIAO ; Keyan WU ; Yanbing DING
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2024;41(1):52-57
Objective:To investigate the correlation between cardiac polyps and gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV).Methods:The clinical, endoscopic and pathological data of 349 patients with cardiac polyps (the cardiac polyp group) visiting Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2021 were retrospectively collected, and the same number of non-cardiac polyp patients (the non-cardiac polyp group) were matched in the same period as control according to the propensity score. The clinical, endoscopic and pathological data of the two groups were compared.Results:After matching with propensity score, there were 296 patients in each group, with no significant differences in smoking, acid reflux, heartburn, Helicobacter pylori infection, bile reflux, reflux esophagitis or pancreatitis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the non-cardiac polyp group, the risk of cardiac polyps increased in GEFV Ⅱ patients ( OR=3.046, 95%CI: 2.100-4.419, P<0.001) and GEFV Ⅲ patients ( OR=4.202, 95%CI: 2.299-7.681, P<0.001). Compared with the non-cardiac polyp group, the risk of cardiac polyps increased in patients with GEFV abnormalities ( OR=2.822, 95%CI: 1.615-4.931, P<0.001). GEFV abnormalities was associated with the cardiac polyp site ( χ2=22.169, P=0.003) and was not significantly associated with cardiac polyp size, number, morphology, intestinal metaplasia of the surrounding mucosa or intraepithelial neoplasia ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The occurrence of cardiac polyps is related to GEFV, and the patients with GEFV abnormalities are more likely to develop cardiac polyps.
6.Construction of recurrence prediction model after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer based on magnetic resonance imaging measurement of perirectal fat content and its application value
JiaMing QIN ; Yumeng ZHAO ; Rui ZHANG ; Yifei YU ; Ziting YU ; Shiqi ZHENG ; Hongqi ZHANG ; Shuxian LI ; Wenhong WANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2023;22(7):924-932
Objective:To investigate the influencing factors of recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer, and to establish a prediction model based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement of perirectal fat content and investigate its application value.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was constructed. The clinicopathological data of 254 patients with middle and low rectal cancer who were admitted to Tianjin Union Medical Center from December 2016 to December 2021 were collected. There were 188 males and 66 females, aged (61±9)years. All patients underwent radical resection of rectal cancer and routine pelvic MRI examina-tion. Observation indicators: (1) follow-up and quantitative measurement of perirectal fat content; (2) factors influencing tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer; (3) construction and evaluation of the nomogram prediction model of tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(rang) and M( Q1, Q2). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the COX regression model. The rms software package (4.1.3 version) was used to construct the nomogram and calibration curve. The survival software package (4.1.3 version) was used to calculate the C-index. The ggDCA software package (4.1.3 version) was used for decision curve analysis. Results:(1) Follow-up and quantitative measurement of perirectal fat content. All 254 patients were followed up for 41.0(range, 1.0?59.0)months after surgery. During the follow-up period, there were 81 patients undergoing tumor recurrence with the time to tumor recurrence as 15.0(range, 1.0?43.0)months, and there were 173 patients without tumor recurrence. The preoperative rectal mesangial fascia envelope volume, preoperative rectal mesangial fat area, preoperative rectal posterior mesangial thickness were 159.1(68.6,266.5)cm3, 17.0(5.1,34.4)cm2, 1.2(0.4,3.2)cm in the 81 patients with tumor recurrence, and 178.5(100.1,310.1)cm3, 19.8(5.3,40.2)cm2 and 1.6(0.3,3.7)cm in the 173 patients without tumor recurrence. (2) Factors influencing tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer. Results of multivariate analysis showed that poorly differentiated tumor, tumor pathological N staging as N1?N2 stage, rectal posterior mesangial thickness ≤1.43 cm, magnetic resonance extra mural vascular invasion, tumor invasion surrounding structures were independent risk factors of tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer ( hazard ratio=1.64, 2.20, 3.19, 1.69, 4.20, 95% confidence interval as 1.03?2.61, 1.29?3.74, 1.78?5.71, 1.02?2.81, 2.05?8.63, P<0.05). (3) Construction and evaluation of the nomogram prediction model of tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer. Based on the results of multivariate analysis, the tumor differentiation, tumor pathological N staging, rectal posterior mesangial thickness, magnetic resonance extra mural vascular invasion, tumor invasion surrounding structures were included to construct the nomogram predic-tion model of tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer. The total score of these index in the nomogram prediction model corresponded to the probability of post-operative tumor recurrence. The C-index of the nomogram was 0.80, indicating that the prediction model with good prediction accuracy. Results of calibration curve showed that the nomogram prediction model with good prediction ability. Results of decision curve showed that the prediction probability threshold range was wide when the nomogram prediction model had obvious net benefit rate, and the model had good clinical practicability. Conclusions:Poorly differentiated tumor, tumor pathological N staging as N1?N2 stage, rectal posterior mesangial thickness ≤1.43 cm, magnetic resonance extra mural vascular invasion, tumor invasion surrounding structures are independent risk factors of tumor recurrence after radical resection of middle and low rectal cancer. Nomogram prediction model based on MRI measurement of perirectal fat content can effectively predict the probability of postoperative tumor recurrence.
7.Effect of diosmetin on ferroptosis of hippocampal cells in rats with bacterial meningitis and the mechanism of SIRT1-Nrf2 signaling pathway
Lu ZHANG ; Ziting WANG ; Xipeng LIU ; Xiufeng ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Behavioral Medicine and Brain Science 2023;32(7):584-591
Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of diosmetin (Dio) on neuronal ferroptosis in rats with bacterial meningitis (BM).Methods:Male SD rats aged 6-7 weeks of SPF grade were selected for the experiment. The BM model was established by injecting group B hemolytic streptococcus into the cisterna magna of cerebellum. Sixty BM model rats were successfully modeled and divided into model group, low-dose Dio group, medium-dose Dio group, high-dose Dio group and inhibitor group according to the random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. Another 12 weight-matched rats were taken as the control group.The rats in the low-dose Dio group, medium-dose Dio group, high-dose Dio group and the inhibitor group were intragastrically administered with Dio at 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The rats in the control group were intragastrically administered with an equal volume of 0.9 % sodium chloride solution. On the day of intragastric administration, the rats in the inhibitor group were intraperitoneally injected with SIRT1 pathway inhibitor EX527 (10 mg/kg), and the rats in the other groups were injected with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The above interventions were performed once a day for 28 consecutive days. Loeffler neurological score was used to evaluate the neurological impairment in rats. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cerebrospinal fluid of rats were detected by ELISA. The number of white blood cells in cerebrospinal fluid was detected by a blood cell analyzer. Glutathione (GSH) was detected by micro-enzyme labeling method, malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method, reactive oxygen species(ROS) was detected by colorimetry, and Fe 2+ level was detected by ferrozine method. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, Prussian blue staining and TUNEL staining were used to observe the pathological damage, iron accumulation and apoptosis in the hippocampus, respectively.Western blot was applied to measure the expression of transferrin (Tf), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), caspase-3 and SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1/Gpx4 signaling pathway proteins. Graphpad Prism 9.0 was used for data analysis. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, and SNK- q test was used for further pairwise comparisons. Results:(1) There was a statistically significant difference in neurological function scores among the 6 groups of rats ( F=125.451, P<0.001). The neurological function score of the model group was lower than that of control group, while the neurological function scores of the low-dose Dio group, medium-dose Dio group, and high-dose Dio group were higher than those of the model group (all P<0.05). The neurological function score of the inhibitor group ((2.57±0.26)) was lower than that of high-dose Dio group ((4.34±0.48)) ( P<0.05). (2) There were statistically significant differences in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α and the number of white blood cells in the cerebrospinal fluid of rats among the 6 groups ( F=127.817, 102.413, 180.967, all P<0.001). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and the number of white blood cells in model group were higher than those of control group(all P<0.05). The levels of IL-6, TNF-α and the number of white blood cells in low-dose Dio group, medium-dose Dio group and high-dose Dio group were lower than those of model group (all P<0.001), and those in inhibitor group were all higher than those in high-dose Dio group(all P<0.001). (3) There were statistically significant differences in iron deposition rate and neuronal apoptosis rate among the 6 groups of rats ( F=90.857, 88.835, both P<0.001). The iron deposition rate ((18.37±3.14)%) and neuronal apoptosis rate ((27.58±2.63)%) in the inhibitor group were higher than those in the high-dose Dio group ((6.35±1.08)%, (14.02±1.87)%) (both P<0.05). (4) The levels of GSH, ROS, MDA, and Fe 2+ in the hippocampus of the 6 groups of rats showed statistically significant differences ( F=54.465, 106.453, 55.969, 105.457, all P<0.001). The GSH content in the inhibitor group ((103.48±8.76) mmol/g) was lower than that in the high-dose Dio group ((133.97±10.54) mmol/g), while the contents of ROS, MDA, Fe 2+ ((225.17±16.32) μmol/mg, (10.73±1.58) μmol/mg, (62.71±5.43) μg/g) were higher than those of the high-dose Dio group ((131.87±11.67) μmol/mg, (4.35±0.87) μmol/mg, (34.86±2.95) μg/g) (all P<0.05). (5)There were statistically significant differences in the protein levels of Tf, PCNA, Bax, caspase-3, SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1 and Gpx4 in the hippocampus of the 6 groups of rats ( F=120.179, 107.568, 157.265, 98.031, 90.932, 52.283, 59.424, 114.539, all P<0.001). The protein levels of Tf, Bax and caspase-3 in the hippocampus of inhibitor group were higher than those of the high-dose Dio group, while the protein levels of PCNA, SIRT1, Nrf2, HO-1, Gpx4 were lower than those of the high-dose Dio group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Diosmetin can activate SIRT1/Nrf2/HO-1/Gpx4 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting neuronal ferroptosis in BM rats.
8.Microvascular Myocardial Ischemia in Patients With Diabetes Without Obstructive Coronary Stenosis and Its Association With Angina
Yarong YU ; Wenli YANG ; Xu DAI ; Lihua YU ; Ziting LAN ; Xiaoying DING ; Jiayin ZHANG
Korean Journal of Radiology 2023;24(11):1081-1092
Objective:
To investigate the incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients without obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and its relationship with angina.
Materials and Methods:
Diabetic patients and an intermediate-to-high pretest probability of CAD were prospectively enrolled. Non-diabetic patients but with an intermediate-to-high pretest probability of CAD were retrospectively included as controls. The patients underwent dynamic computed tomography-myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to quantify coronary stenosis, myocardial blood flow (MBF), and extracellular volume (ECV). The proportion of patients with microvascular myocardial ischemia, defined as any myocardial segment with a mean MBF ≤ of 100 mL/min/100 mL, in patients without obstructive CAD (Coronary Artery Disease–Reporting and Data System [CAD-RADS] grade 0–2 on CCTA) was determined. Various quantitative parameters of the patients with and without diabetes without obstructive CAD were compared. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the association between microvascular myocardial ischemia and angina symptoms in diabetic patients without obstructive CAD.
Results:
One hundred and fifty-two diabetic patients (mean age: 59.7 ± 10.7; 77 males) and 266 non-diabetic patients (62.0 ± 12.3; 167 males) were enrolled; CCTA revealed 113 and 155 patients without obstructive CAD, respectively. For patients without obstructive CAD, the mean global MBF was significantly lower for those with diabetes than for those without (152.8 mL/min/100 mL vs. 170.4 mL/min/100 mL, P < 0.001). The mean ECV was significantly higher for diabetic patients (27.2% vs. 25.8%, P = 0.009). Among the patients without obstructive CAD, the incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia (36.3% [41/113] vs. 10.3% [16/155], P < 0.001) and interstitial fibrosis (69.9% [79/113] vs. 33.3% [8/24], P = 0.001) were significantly higher in diabetic patients than in the controls. The presence of microvascular myocardial ischemia was independently associated with angina symptoms (adjusted odds ratio = 3.439, P = 0.037) in diabetic patients but without obstructive CAD.
Conclusion
Dynamic CT-MPI + CCTA revealed a high incidence of microvascular myocardial ischemia in diabetic patients without obstructive CAD. Microvascular myocardial ischemia is strongly associated with angina.
9.Effect of Zishen Huoxue Prescription on Regulation of Mitophagy and Neurogenesis in Hippocampal CA1 Region of Vascular Dementia Rats
Ziting ZHAO ; Dahua WU ; Xiuli ZHANG ; Le XIE ; Tonghe LIU ; Shanshan ZENG ; Jiayi SHI ; Ting YAO ; Yao XIE ; Yinchen LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(20):45-52
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Zishen Huoxue prescription on promoting neurogenesis in hippocampal CA1 region of vascular dementia (VD) rats by regulating mitophagy. MethodThe 2-VO method was used to establish the VD rat model and 60 SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group, donepezil hydrochloride group, and Zishen Huoxue prescription low-dose(8.9 g·kg-1), medium-dose(17.8 g·kg-1) and high-dose(35.6 g·kg-1) groups. Morris water maze test was performed to detect the escape latency and the number of crossing platform in each group. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homology-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and Parkinson protein (Parkin) mRNA in hippocampal CA1 region was detected by Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR). Western blot was used to determine the expression of mitochondrial autophagy signaling pathway-related proteins Parkin, prohibitin 2 (PHB2), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) and dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) in hippocampal CA1 region. The neurogenesis in hippocampal CA1 region was tested by Brdu method. ResultCompared with the conditions in the sham operation group, the learning and spatial memory abilities of the model group were decreased (P<0.05), with damaged mitochondrial structure and autolysosome formation in the hippocampal CA1 region. The expressions of Parkin, Pink1 mRNA and Parkin, PHB2, and Drp1 proteins were up-regulated (P<0.05), while the expression of Mfn2 protein and the neuronal regeneration in hippocampal CA1 region were reduced (P<0.05, P<0.05). Compared with the conditions in the model group, Zishen Huoxue prescription enhanced the learning and spatial memory abilities of VD rats (P<0.05), increased the number of autophagosomes in hippocampal CA1 region and improved the mitochondrial structure. The expression of Parkin, Pink1 mRNA and Parkin, PHB2, and Drp1 proteins in hippocampal CA1 region was up-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01)while the expression of Mfn2 protein was down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01). The number of new neurons in hippocampal CA1 region was also increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionThe promoting effect of Zishen Huoxue prescription on the neurogenesis in hippocampal CA1 region of VD rats was related to the mitophagy mediated by Pink1/Parkin signaling pathway.
10.A novel hydrogen sulfide donor modulates Kir6.2 via the cyclic guanosine monophosphate- dependent protein kinase signaling pathway in one side hippocampus of epileptic rats
Danqiong LIU ; Ziting ZHU ; Sheng DU ; Peiye CHEN ; Manru GUO ; Yilong ZHANG ; Yanmei SU ; Guanqi WANG ; Pingyi XU ; Xiaoqin ZHU
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2021;54(3):242-250
Objective:To explore the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) on modulating the subunit Kir6.2 of adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channels via the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (cGMP/PKG) signaling pathway in epileptic rat models. Methods:Sixty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into the following six groups (10 rats in each group) by random number table method: control, epileptic, H 2S donor, H 2S donor+epileptic, KT5823 (one inhibitor of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase)+H 2S donor+epileptic, and glibenclamide (one inhibitor of the adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channels)+H 2S donor+epileptic groups. Except the control group, SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with plentylenetetrazole to make the kindling models and their behaviours were recorded including the latency period, the grade, and the duration of the first epileptic seizure according to the Racine′s standard. The waveforms of electroencephalogram (EEG) in hippocampus were also recorded during the seizure. The mRNA and protein levels of PKG and Kir6.2 in hippocampus were evaluated by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the hippocampal concentrations of cGMP and phosphorylation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (p-PKG) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results:Rats in the epileptic group showed Ⅳ-Ⅴ grade of epileptic seizure [4.500 (4.000, 4.875)], short latency period [(10.37±8.21) min] but long duration [(69.50±24.37) s] of seizure. Compared to the epileptic group, rats in the H 2S donor group showed Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade of epileptic seizure ( P=0.004), significantly longer latency period ( P<0.001), and shorter duration of seizure ( P<0.001). Compared to the H 2S donor+epileptic group, rats in the KT5823+H 2S donor+epileptic group showed Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade of epileptic seizures, significantly shorter latency period ( P<0.001), and longer duration of seizure ( P<0.001). The results of EEG showed that the wave patterns in the epileptic group were spike or sharp waves and the amplitudes were largest [(190.570±23.590) μV]. Compared with the epileptic group, amplitudes were reduced ( P<0.001) in the H 2S donor+epileptic group. PKG mRNA and PKG protein were expressed differently among all groups (PKG mRNA: n=5, H=26.714, P<0.001; PKG protein: n=5, F=30.597, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the expression of both PKG mRNA and PKG protein was decreased (PKG mRNA: 1.000±0.001 vs 0.782±0.064, P=0.023; PKG protein: 0.550±0.037 vs 0.145±0.020, P=0.042) in the epileptic group. Besides, Kir6.2 mRNA and Kir6.2 protein were expressed differently among all groups (Kir6.2 mRNA: n=5, H=27.761, P<0.001; Kir6.2 protein: n=5, F=60.659, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, the expression of both Kir6.2 mRNA and Kir6.2 protein was decreased (Kir6.2 mRNA: 1.000±0.001 vs 0.897±0.033, P=0.004; Kir6.2 protein: 0.384±0.035 vs 0.215±0.016, P=0.024) in the epileptic group. And the concentrations of cGMP and p-PKG were decreased (cGMP: P<0.001; p-PKG: P<0.001) in the epileptic group. The results in the H 2S donor+epileptic group were up-regulated (PKG mRNA: P=0.047; PKG protein: P<0.001; Kir6.2 mRNA: P=0.011; Kir6.2 protein: P<0.001; cGMP: P<0.001; p-PKG: P<0.001) compared with the epileptic group. However, the results in the KT5823+H 2S donor+epileptic group were down-regulated (PKG mRNA: P=0.015; PKG protein: P=0.027; Kir6.2 mRNA: P=0.013; Kir6.2 protein: P=0.017; cGMP: P=0.005; p-PKG: P<0.001) compared with the H 2S donor+epileptic group. Conclusion:A possible mechanism is that H 2S prevents the epileptic seizure from modulating the subunit Kir6.2 of ATP sensitive potassium channels via the cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.

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