1.Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Ermiao Situ Decoction in Modulating JAK/STAT Pathway in Rats with Damp-heat Eczema
Kangning HAN ; Junjie HU ; Juan LI ; Min ZHANG ; Xian ZHOU ; Songlin LIU ; Xin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):37-47
ObjectiveUltra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) coupled with network pharmacology and molecular docking was utilized to explore the efficacy and mechanism of action of Ermiao Situ decoction on rats with damp-heat eczema. MethodsA rat model of damp-heat eczema was established by artificial climate chamber intervention combined with sensitization induction by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and it was randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, the medium- and high-dose groups of Ermiao Situ decoction (3.40 g·kg-1 and 6.80 g·kg-1), and the prednisone acetate group (2.51 mg·kg-1), with eight rats in each group, totalling 46 rats, of which six rats were tested with the drug-containing serum. The chemical analysis of drug-containing serum from rats was carried out by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with network pharmacology for the prediction of key components, core targets, and signaling pathways, and molecular docking experiments were performed by CB-Dock2 online website. The pharmacological effects of Ermiao Situ decoction in the treatment of damp-heat eczema were investigated by epitaxial indexes combined with the pathologic tissue staining method. The serum levels of gastrin (GAS), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), phosphorylated (p)-JAK1, signal transduction and activation of transcription factor 3 (STAT3), and p-STAT3 protein expression level was determined by Western bolt. ResultsA total of 19 active ingredients were detected in drug-containing serum samples of rats, which were predicted to act on 198 targets for the treatment of damp-heat eczema, among which the key ingredients included rhodopsin, huangpai alkaloids, and quercetin, and the main core targets included STAT3, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-6, which were mainly involved in the cancer signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase (Akt) signaling pathway, T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation signaling pathway, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The molecular docking results suggested that the key components had strong binding activities with the core targets IL-6, JAK1, and STAT3 in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group were depressed. They had loose hair, loose stools, epidermal oozing, vesiculation, and generation of thick scabs in the form of scales, decreased body weight, increased anus temperature and water intake, and increased indexes of the spleen, thymus gland, and stomach (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the lesion tissue could be seen to be hyperkeratotic, with the aggregation of inflammatory cells and nonsignificant separation of epidermis and dermis. The gastric mucosa was thinned, deficient, and structurally disorganized, and obvious inflammatory cell aggregation was seen. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 in serum were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the lesion tissue were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, rats in each administration group had stable mental states, formed feces, a clean perianal area, and basically normal epidermis. Only a small amount of scaly scabs existed, and the rats had body weight increased, with decreased anal temperature and water intake, as well as decreased spleen, thymus, and gastric indexes (P<0.05, P<0.01). Epidermal thickness was decreased, and epidermal and dermal separation boundaries were obvious, but hyperkeratotic and accumulation of inflammatory cells could still be seen. The thickness of gastric mucosa increased, and the structure was restored to varying degrees. The levels of GAS, IL-4, and IL-13 content in the serum of rats were increased to varying degrees, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, JAK1, p-JAK1, and p-STAT3 in the dermal lesion tissue were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionErmiao Situ decoction may exert therapeutic effects on rats with damp-heat eczema by modulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
2.Effectiveness of group skills training intervention on social ability of high functional autism spectrum disorder children
HU Shasha, ZHAO Xiao, ZHU Zhenzhen, LIU Xiaoli, WANG Rong, HU Zhenyu, ZHANG Wenwu
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):167-171
Objective:
To evaluate the intervention efficacy of integrated group social skills training on social ability in school age patients with high functioning ASD, so as to provide a reference for improving social skills in children with high functioning ASD.
Methods:
From January 2021 to December 2023, 62 children aged 7-12 with high functioning ASD who visited the Children s Psychiatry Outpatient Department of the Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Ningbo University were recruited, and were randomly divided into a training ( n =31) and a control group ( n =31) by a random number table method. The training group received a 20 week structured group social training program (mental interpretation courses and social courses), while the control group received only conventional treatment. Chinese version of Griffith Empathy Measure Parent Ratings (GEM-PR) and Social Response Scale (SRS) were used to assess the symptoms of social deficits before and after treatment. Emotional face recognition tasks and eye movement trajectories were used to test the characteristics of social visual attention in children with ASD. Group comparison was conducted using t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
At baseline, there were no significant differences in GEM-PR score ( t = -1.20 to -0.81), SRS score ( t =-0.36-1.75), emotional face recognition accuracy and reaction time ( t =-0.58-1.85), and eye movement trajectory ( U/t =-1.63-0.29) between the two group ( P >0.05). After intervention, the total GEM-PR score and empathic cognitive factor score of training group [18.00(10.00,24.00),9.00(8.00,13.00)] were significantly higher than those of the control group [12.00(-1.00,18.00),2.00(-2.00,7.00)], and the total SRS score and social cognition, social perception, social communication, social motivation (73.23±14.20, 16.16±2.72, 6.58±2.50, 24.29±5.61, 9.52±3.73) were significantly lower than those of the control group (95.26±15.29, 19.90±2.84, 12.58±2.49,31.94±6.38, 13.74±4.81) ( U/t =-2.38, -4.59; -5.88, -5.29, -9.47, -5.01, -3.87, P <0.05). The overall correct rate of emotional face recognition and the correct rate of angry, fearful and neutral faces recognition in the training group [(81.55±6.62)%,(76.86±12.06)%,(79.61±12.42)%,(94.27±6.26)%] were significantly higher than the control group [(70.55±13.82)%,(62.82±18.77)%,(67.18±18.85)%,(79.60±20.05)%], and the average reaction time [(2 226.70±274.43)ms] was lower than the control group [(2 417.27±324.10)ms] (t=4.00, 3.50, 3.07, 3.89, -2.42, P<0.05). The time to first eye gaze [764.74 (748.64, 793.73) ms] in the training group was significantly lower than that in the control group [810.92 (782.86, 877.42) ms], and the proportion of moderatetohigh intensity attention area in the face [(37.37±1.27)%] was significantly higher than that in the control group [(30.34±1.23)%] (U/t=3.44, 8.89, P<0.05).
Conclusion
Integrated group social training can significantly improve the social communication and empathy ability of high functioning ASD children, increase active attention and recognition ability of faces, and improve mental development of children with ASD.
3.Long-term survival of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in patients ≥70 years: A retrospective cohort study
Kexun LI ; Changding LI ; Xin NIE ; Wenwu HE ; Chenghao WANG ; Kangning WANG ; Guangyuan LIU ; Junqiang CHEN ; Zefen XIAO ; Qiang FANG ; Yongtao HAN ; Lin PENG ; Qifeng WANG ; Xuefeng LENG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(05):619-625
Objective To compare the long-term survival of elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of elderly patients aged ≥70 years with ESCC who underwent esophagectomy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2009 to September 2017. Patients were divided into a surgical group (S group) and a non-surgical group (NS group) according to the treatment method. The propensity score matching method was used to match the two groups of patients at a ratio of 1∶1, and the survival of the two groups before and after matching was analyzed. Results A total of 726 elderly patients with ESCC were included, including 552 males and 174 females, with 651 patients aged ≥70-80 years and 75 patients aged ≥80-90 years. There were 515 patients in the S group and 211 patients in the NS group. The median follow-up time was 60.8 months, and the median overall survival of the S group was 41.9 months [95%CI (35.2, 48.5)], while that of the NS group was only 24.0 months [95%CI (19.8, 28.3)]. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of the S group were 84%, 54%, and 40%, respectively, while those of the NS group were 72%, 40%, and 30%, respectively [HR=0.689, 95%CI (0.559, 0.849), P<0.001]. After matching, 138 patients were included in each group, and there was no statistical difference in the overall survival between the two groups [HR=0.871, 95%CI (0.649, 1.167), P=0.352]. Conclusion Compared with conservative treatment, there is no significant difference in the long-term survival of elderly patients aged ≥70 years who undergo esophagectomy for ESCC. Neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery is still an important choice to potentially improve the survival of elderly patients with ESCC.
4.Incidence of venous thromboembolism in esophageal cancer: a real-world study of 8 458 cases
Kunyi DU ; Xin NIE ; Kexun LI ; Changding LI ; Kun LIU ; Zhiyu LI ; Kunzhi LI ; Simiao LU ; Kunhan NI ; Wenwu HE ; Chenghao WANG ; Jialong LI ; Haojun LI ; Qiang ZHOU ; Kangning WANG ; Guangyuan LIU ; Wenguang XIAO ; Qiang FANG ; Qiuling SHI ; Yongtao HAN ; Lin PENG ; Xuefeng LENG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Surgery 2024;23(1):109-113
Objective:To investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 8 458 EC patients who were admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. There were 6 923 males and 1 535 females, aged (64±9)years. There were 3 187 patients undergoing surgical treatment, and 5 271 cases undergoing non-surgical treatment. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of VTE in EC patients; (2) treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Results:(1) Incidence of VTE in EC patients. Of 8 458 EC patients, 175 cases developed VTE, with an incidence rate of 2.069%(175/8 458). Among 175 VTE patients, there were 164 cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 4 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), 7 cases of DVT and PE. There were 59 surgical patients and 116 non-surgical patients. There was no significant difference in thrombus type between surgical and non-surgical EC patients with VTE ( χ2=1.95, P>0.05). Of 3 187 surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 1.851%(59/3 187), including an incidence of 0.157%(5/3 187) of PE. PE accounted for 8.475%(5/59) of surgical patients with VTE. Of 5 271 non-surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 2.201%(116/5 271), including an incidence of 0.114%(6/5 271) of PE. PE accounted for 5.172%(6/116) of non-surgical patients with VTE. There was no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or PE between surgical patients and non-surgical patients ( χ2=1.20, 0.05, P>0.05). (2) Treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Among 175 EC patients with VTE, 163 cases underwent drug treatment, and 12 cases did not receive treatment. Among 163 cases with drug therapy, 158 cases underwent anticoagulant therapy, 5 cases were treated with thrombolysis. All the 163 patients were improved and discharged from hospital. Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in patients with EC is relatively low, as 2.069%. There is no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or thrombus type between surgical EC patients and non-surgical EC patients.
5.Research Progress on Signaling Pathways Related to Treatment of Diabetic Cognitive Dysfunction with Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Review
Xinrui LI ; Yuqing WANG ; Ming SU ; Xinru SUN ; Hui ZHANG ; Kangning XIAO ; Shanxin LIU ; Xinjun ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(19):225-232
Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) is one of the complications of diabetes, which is characterized by impaired brain structure and progressively decreased learning and memory ability. With the increasing incidence of diabetes worldwide, DCD has become a serious medical and social problem. However, its pathophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. The occurrence and development of DCD involve multiple pathological links and mechanisms, and the prevention and treatment require multi-link and multi-target therapeutic measures. At present, there is no specific drug to prevent or improve DCD. Hypoglycemic drugs such as metformin and vigagliptin or anti-dementia drug including Donepezil are commonly used in clinical treatment to delay the occurrence and progression of cognitive dysfunction, but these drugs have a single target and obvious side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and central cognitive diseases, and it has many unique advantages such as multiple components, multiple targets, side effects, and low price. A large number of studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine has a significant prevention and treatment effect on DCD, which can improve insulin resistance, synaptic dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and neuronal apoptosis by regulating phosphatidylin-ositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/advanced glycation end products receptor (RAGE)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and endoplasmic reticulum stress and nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathways. This article reviewed the effects and related mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine on DCD in recent years, so as to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of DCD by traditional Chinese medicine.
6.Improvement effect of down-regulation of miR-208a on 5-FU resistance in colorectal cancer cells through targeting SFRP1 for mediating Wnt signaling pathway
Bingbing HU ; Kangning LUO ; Su PENG ; Yuzhong ZHOU ; Maoliang CHEN ; Changhua LIU
Journal of Jilin University(Medicine Edition) 2024;50(4):947-955
Objective:To discuss the effect of downregulating microRNA-208a(miR-208a)on the resistance of the colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil(5-FU),and to clarify its related molecular mechanism.Methods:Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-208a and secreted frizzled-related protein 1(SFRP1)mRNA in the 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer cell line HT-29/5-FU and its parent HT-29 cells.The HT-29/5-FU cells were transfected with miR-208a inhibitor plasmid and its negative control plasmid(inhibitor-NC),and SFRP1 small interfering RNA(si-SFRP1)and its negative control plasmid(si-NC),either separately or in combination,followed by treatment with 5-FU.The cells were divided into inhibitor-NC group,miR-208a inhibitor group,miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,and miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group.MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells and the resistance indexes were calculated;Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptotic rates of the cells after treated with different concentrations of 5-FU;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of SFRP1,β-catenin,P-glycoprotein(P-gp),and ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 1(ABCB1)proteins in the cells in various groups;dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to validate the targeting relationship between miR-208a and SFRP1.Results:Compared with HT-29 cells,the expression level of miR-208a in the HT-29/5-FU cells was increased(P<0.05),and the expression level of SFRP1 mRNA was decreased(P<0.05).Compared with inhibitor-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor group was decreased(P<0.05),the resistance index was decreased,the apoptotic rate was increased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were decreased(P<0.05).The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that SFRP1 was a target gene of miR-208a and miR-208a could negatively regulate the expression of SFRP1.Compared with miR-208a inhibitor+si-NC group,the proliferation activity of the cells in miR-208a inhibitor+si-SFRP1 group was increased(P<0.05),the resistance index was increased,the apoptotic rate was decreased(P<0.05),and the expression levels of β-catenin,P-gp,and ABCB1 proteins in the cells were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Downregulation of miR-208a can improve the resistance of the HT-29/5-FU cells to 5-FU by targeting and upregulating the SFRP1 expression,thereby inhibiting the transmission of the Wnt signaling pathway.
7.Rapid Characterization of Chemical Constituents in Dayuanyin by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS
Kangning XIAO ; Ming SU ; Yujie HOU ; Xinjun ZHANG ; Yuecheng LIU ; Xinrui LI ; Dandan SUN ; Ruixue LIANG ; Lei CAO ; Shanxin LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(10):1-12
ObjectiveTo characterize the chemical constituents of Dayuanyin based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/electrostatic field orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS). MethodThe detection was performed on a Thermo Acclaim™ RSLC 120 C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 2.2 μm), the mobile phase was acetonitrile(A)-0.1% formic acid aqueous solution(B) for gradient elution (0-7.5 min, 10%-19%A; 7.5-12 min, 19%-22.5%A; 12-23 min, 22.5%-27%A; 23-27 min, 27%-56%A; 27-35 min, 56%-84%A; 35-36 min, 84%-90%A), the flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1, and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The data were collected in the positive and negative ion modes by heated electrospray ionization(HESI), and the detection range was m/z 80-1 200. Combining the retention time of the reference substance, fragment ions, databases such as PubChem and related literature, Xcalibur 3.0 was used to identify the chemical constituents of Dayuanyin. ResultA total of 161 compounds were identified, including 14 alkaloids, 60 flavonoids, 16 terpenoids, 26 saponins, 18 phenylpropanoids, 16 organic acids and 11 others. ConclusionThe established method can effectively and quickly identify the chemical components in Dayuanyin, and clarify its chemical composition, which can provide a basis for the development of compound preparations of this famous classical formula.
8. Application and prospect of drug discrimination in field of drug abuse
Dan FU ; Qing-Xiao HONG ; Jun GU ; Ze-Min XU ; Ding-Ding ZHUANG ; Wen-Jin XU ; Hui-Fen LIU ; Wen-Hua ZHOU
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(9):1623-1627
Drug discrimination is a behavioral pharmacological technique to study the discriminative stimulus effects of drug. Currently drug discrimination has been widely used in preclinical drug development of CNS drugs, the most extensive of which is psychodependent research in the field of drug abuse. This review describes in general the basic principles of drug discrimination, preliminarily elaborates on the relevant characteristics and applications of the subjective effects, time-course effect, stereo specificity, individual differences, and receptor mechanisms, and its development prospects for hallucinogens and cannabis drugs are also presented.
9.Executive function in adolescent patients with major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms and childhood trauma
Shiqi SONG ; Jianbo LIU ; Mengxiao YAN ; Minsi ZHOU ; Ming GAO ; Wentai FENG ; Jianping LU
Sichuan Mental Health 2023;36(3):202-208
BackgroundThere are differences in executive function between major depressive episode patients with or without psychotic symptoms, and childhood trauma may affect the executive function of patients with major depressive episode. Previous research studies predominantly focused on adult patients with major depressive episode, with a lack of studies specifically focusing on adolescent patients with major depressive episode. ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in executive function among adolescent patients with major depressive episode, with or without psychotic symptoms and childhood trauma. MethodsA total of 112 hospitalized adolescent patients with major depressive episode who met the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases, tenth edition (ICD-10) were included in the study. The participants were recruited from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Shenzhen Kangning Hospital during the period from August 2020 to November 2021. Additionally, 27 healthy controls were recruited through public advertisements. The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) was used to assess executive function through the administration of the Motor Screening Task (MOT), Spatial Working Memory(SWM) and Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVP) modules. Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF) was used to assess the trauma type. ResultsCompared with healthy controls, adolescent patients with major depressive episode had a longer mean delay (Z=-3.407, P=0.001) in the MOT task. In the SWM task, the patients had a higher total number of intergroup error responses (Z=-3.291, P=0.001), a higher total number of intragroup error responses (Z=-3.461, P=0.001), more total number of double error responses (Z=-3.218, P=0.001), a higher total error responses (Z=-3.312, P=0.001), higher strategy scores (Z=-2.437, P=0.015) and longer average delay time (Z=-2.055, P=0.040). In the RVP task, the patients had fewer hits (Z=-3.196, P=0.001), more misses (Z=-3.179, P=0.001), fewer rejections (Z=-2.772, P=0.006), lower hit probability (Z=-3.187, P=0.001) and lower A´ scores (Z=-3.070, P=0.002).Compared with adolescent patients with major depressive episode without psychotic symptoms, those with psychotic symptoms had a lower total number of double error responses (Z=-2.566, P=0.010) in SWM task. Compared with adolescent patients with major depressive episode who did not experience emotional neglect, those who experienced emotional neglect had longer average delay time (Z=-3.183, P=0.001) in MOT task, fewer total hits (Z=-2.445, P=0.014), more total missed reports (Z=-2.467, P=0.014), lower hit probability (Z=-2.445, P=0.014) and lower A´scores (Z=-2.089, P=0.037) in RVP task. Adolescent patients with major depressive episode who had experienced emotional abuse had longer average delay time in MOT task than those who had not experienced emotional abuse (Z=-2.552, P=0.011). ConclusionAdolescent patients with major depressive episode exhibit abnormalities in a majority of executive function domains. Specifically, those without psychotic symptoms and with childhood trauma demonstrate significantly impaired executive function. [Funded by Shenzhen Fund for Guangdong Provincial High-level Clinical Key Specialties (number, SZGS013), Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund of Guangdong Province (number, 2019A1515110047), Shenzhen Science and Technology Planning Project (number, JCYJ20190809155019338)]
10.Activation of the complement C3/C3aR pathway in the prefrontal cortex mediates methamphetamine addiction in rats
Fangmin WANG ; Shanshan CHEN ; Huizhen LIU ; Xiaolei HUANG ; Yiying ZHOU ; Manqing WU ; Miaojun LAI ; Dingding ZHUANG ; Huifen LIU ; Wenhua ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology 2023;37(7):525-526
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of the complement C3/C3aR signaling pathway in the prefrontal cortex and colon neuroglia cell interactions during meth-amphetamine(METH)addiction,to observe the effects of TLR4 inhibitors as well as complement C3 elimination on METH reward and relapse behavior,and to explore the neuroinflammatory mechanisms of complement C3 acti-vation in METH addiction.METHODS ①A 14 d and 28 d rat METH addiction model was established to observe the effects of TLR4 antagonist ibudilast 3 mg·kg-1 and 10 mg·kg-1 on self-administration,reward motivation,relapse,and natural reward behavior in METH-trained 14 d rats and the effects of 0.02 mg·kg-1 complement C3 antago-nist on self-administration behavior in METH-trained 28 d rats.② Differences in the expression of TLR4,NF-κB,GRP94,C3,cathepsin L,CD68,and GFAP in the pre-frontal cortex of each group were examined using West-ern blotting.③ In addition,the expression of ATF6 in the prefrontal cortex of each group and the effects on neuro-nal and microglia/macrophage INOS,CD206 GRP94,and complement C3/C3aR.RESULTS ① Endoplasmic reticulum stress occurred in neurons and microglia after METH exposure depending on GRP94 and unfolded pro-tein responses to the ATF6 pathway.In addition,it acti-vates the TLR4-NF-κB pathway.② Microglia with high complement C3/C3aR expression in the prefrontal cortex were recruited to synaptic pruning and phagocytic responses around neurons with high GRP94,comple-ment C3/C3aR expression and these effects were blocked by complement C3 antagonists.③ In the rec-tum,GRP94 functions as a molecular chaperone for com-plement C3 and cathepsin L.Crosstalk occurs between enteric neurons high in GRP94,complement C3,and macrophages high in C3aR,located in the submucosa,lamina propria,and muscular,respectively,and all of these effects are blocked by complement C3 antago-nists.④ Treatment with the TLR4 antagonist ibudilast inhibits self-administration,reward motivation,and cue-or METH-priming in METH-trained 14 d rats,but fails to affect natural reward behavior.Ibudilast treatment attenu-ates the TLR4-NF-κB inflammatory pathway and comple-ments C3/C3aR pathway in the prefrontal cortex.CON-CLUSION Activation of the complement C3/C3aR signal-ing pathway by TLR4-NF-κB inflammatory signaling in the prefrontal cortex mediates the METH addiction pro-cess,providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of METH addiction,and targeting TLR4/NF-κB inflammatory signaling and complement C3/C3aR may be a new way to intervene in METH addiction.


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