1.Effect of Astrocyte-neuron Coupling Imbalance in Development of Alzheimer's Disease and Intervention Mechanism of Kidney-tonifying and Marrow-filling TCM Prescriptions
Guanghui HAN ; Shenghua KANG ; Hongni YU ; Mengjie SUN ; Dongyue LI ; Rui MA ; Weizhe ZHEN ; Tao MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):1-9
Astrocytes are important nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS), which mainly play a key role in nutrition and support. Astrocytes and neurons undergo close energy coupling and substance coupling, which are closely related and interact with each other. In recent years, many studies have shown that the astrocyte-neuron coupling imbalance plays a central role in the occurrence and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and serves as an important therapeutic target receiving increasing attention. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, the main pathogenesis of AD is kidney deficiency and marrow inadequacy, and in clinical medication, kidney-tonifying and marrow-filling TCM prescriptions are often employed with satisfactory results achieved. As reported, many kidney-tonifying and marrow-filling prescriptions exhibit regulatory and protective effects on the imbalance of astrocyte-neuron coupling, suggesting that the effect of kidney-tonifying and marrow-filling prescriptions in treating AD may have some internal relationship with its regulation of the imbalance of astrocyte-neuron coupling. This article reviewed the underlying internal relationship between the imbalance of astrocyte-neuron coupling and the pathogenesis of kidney deficiency and marrow inadequacy in AD and the research progress in the intervention mechanism of TCM for tonifying the kidney and filling the marrow.
2.Mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi in Improving Astrocyte Injury and Glycolysis in AD Mice via PI3K/Akt Pathway
Hongni YU ; Mengjie SUN ; Fengli WANG ; Shenghua KANG ; Guanghui HAN ; Dongyue LI ; Weizhe ZHEN ; Tao MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):10-18
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi in improving astrocyte injury and glycolysis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice via regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, thereby improving the cognitive function of AD mice. MethodForty male APP/PS1 transgenic mice aged four months were randomly divided into a model group and a model + Dihuang Yinzi (0.25 g·kg-1) group, with 20 mice in each group. Forty C57BL/6J mice with the same background and same age were randomly divided into a control group and a control + Dihuang Yinzi (0.25 g·kg-1) group, with 20 mice in each group. The mice in the control + Dihuang Yinzi group and the model + Dihuang Yinzi group were administered with Dihuang Yinzi by gavage, and those in the control group and the model group received an equal volume of sterilized normal saline, once a day for 150 days. Morris water maze test was performed to test the ability of navigation and space exploration of mice. The protein expression of p-PI3K, PI3K, p-Akt, Akt, phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 3 family member B2 (ALDH3B2) in mouse brain tissues was measured by Western blot. An immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect astrocyte morphology and the expression level of ALDH3B2. ResultAs compared with the control group, the model group showed prolonged escape latency during the 2nd to 5th days of the location-based navigation (P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced number of times crossing the target area of the platform, shortened residence time in the target quadrant (P<0.05, P<0.01), prolonged residence time in the opposite quadrant (P<0.05), increased surface area of the cell body and total length of cell protrusions of astrocytes (P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, ALDH3B2, and PFK-1 (P<0.01), while the above experimental indexes were not significantly different in the control + Dihuang Yinzi group. Compared with the model group, the model + Dihuang Yinzi group showed shortened escape latency of APP/PS1 mice during the 2nd to 5th days of the location-based navigation (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased number of times crossing the platform, prolonged target quadrant residence time (P<0.05, P<0.01), shortened residence time in the opposite quadrant (P<0.05), reduced surface area of the cell body and total length of cell protrusions of astrocytes (P<0.05), and up-regulated protein expression of p-PI3K, p-Akt, ALDH3B2, and PFK-1 (P<0.01). ConclusionDihuang Yinzi can improve the learning and memory ability of AD mice by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and up-regulating the protein expression of PFK-1 and ALDH3B2 to protect against astrocyte injury in brain tissues and improve glycolysis.
3.Mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi in Improving Energy Metabolism Disorder and Autophagy Injury of Astrocytes in Brain of AD Mice
Mengjie SUN ; Hongni YU ; Guanghui HAN ; Fengli WANG ; Shenghua KANG ; Dongyue LI ; Tao MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):19-26
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi (DHYZ)in improving astrocyte injury in the brain and regulating energy metabolism and autophagy disorder in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice. MethodForty male APP/PS1 transgenic mice aged four months were randomly divided into a model group and a model + DHYZ group (2.5 g·kg-1), with 20 mice in each group. Forty C57BL/6J mice with the same background and same age were randomly divided into a control group and a control + DHYZ group (2.5 g·kg-1), with 20 mice in each group. The mice in the control group and the model group were administered with an equal volume of sterilized normal saline by gavage, once a day for 150 days. Novel object recognition test and step-down test were performed to evaluate the learning and memory ability of mice. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to detect adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) in brain tissues of mice, and the data obtained were used to calculate energy charge (EC) levels. The phosphorylation levels of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins Beclin-1, microtuble-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, and p62 in mouse brain were measured by Western blot. ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed decreased novel object recognition index, shortened retention latency, increased error times in the step-down test, up-regulated protein expression of GFAP, decreased content of ATP, ADP, and EC in brain tissues, elevated AMP , increased levels of p-AMPK, p-LKB1, and p-mTOR, and protein expression of p62 , and down-regulated p-ULK1 level and protein expression of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ(P<0.01), while the above experimental indexes were not significantly different in the control + DHYZ group. Compared with the model group, the model + DHYZ group showed increased novel object recognition index(P<0.05), prolonged retention latency(P<0.01), decreased error times(P<0.01) in the step-down test, reduced protein expression of GFAP(P<0.05), increased content of ATP, ADP, and EC in brain tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01), decreased AMP content(P<0.05), reduced p-AMPK, p-LKB1, and p-mTOR levels and protein expression of p62, and up-regulated p-ULK1 level and protein expression of Beclin-1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ(P<0.01). ConclusionBy protecting astrocytes, DHYZ can improve energy metabolism and autophagy disorder in AD mice to improve the learning and memory ability of model mice.
4.Mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi in Improving Astrocyte Injury and Regulating Synaptic Structure and Function in AD Mice
Hongni YU ; Mengjie SUN ; Guanghui HAN ; Fengli WANG ; Shenghua KANG ; Dongyue LI ; Tao MA
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(8):27-35
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Dihuang Yinzi in improving astrocyte injury and protecting synaptic structure and function in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. MethodForty male APP/PS1 transgenic mice aged four months were randomly divided into a model group and a model + Dihuang Yinzi (0.25 g·kg-1) group, with 20 mice in each group. Forty C57BL/6J mice with the same background and same age were randomly divided into a control group and a control + Dihuang Yinzi (0.25 g·kg-1) group, with 20 mice in each group. The mice in the control + Dihuang Yinzi group and the model + Dihuang Yinzi group were administered with Dihuang Yinzi by gavage, and those in the control group and the model group received an equal volume of sterilized normal saline, once a day for 150 days. The learning and memory ability of mice was tested by the light-dark box test and Y-maze spontaneous alternation test. The content of glutamate (Glu) and glutamine (Gln) was measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Long-term potentiation (LTP) assay was used to detect synaptic plasticity in brain tissues. The protein expression levels of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), postsynaptic density protein95 (PSD95), and synaptophysin (SYN) in brain tissues were measured by Western blot. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the localization and expression of EAAT2. Colorimetry was performed to detect Na+-K+ ATPase activity in mouse brain tissues. ResultAs compared with the control group, the model group showed shortened residence latency (P<0.01), increased number of errors (P<0.01) in the light-dark box test, reduced spontaneous alternation behaviors (P<0.01), no significant difference in the total number of arm entries in the Y-maze spontaneous alternation test, down-regulated expression of EAAT2, PSD95, and SYN (P<0.01), blunted activity of Na+-K+ ATPase (P<0.01), up-regulated Glu level (P<0.01), down-regulated Gln level (P<0.01), and reduced relative population spike (PS) amplitude and the slope of excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the above experimental indexes were not significantly different in the control + Dihuang Yinzi group. Compared with the model group, the model + Dihuang Yinzi group displayed prolonged residence latency (P<0.05), decreased number of errors (P<0.01) in the light-dark box test, increased spontaneous alternation behaviors (P<0.01), no significant difference in the total number of arm entries in the Y-maze spontaneous alternation test, up-regulated expression of EAAT2, PSD95, and SYN (P<0.01), potentiated activity of Na+-K+ ATPase (P<0.01), reduced Glu level (P<0.01), up-regulated Gln level (P<0.01), and increased PS amplitude and EPSP slope (P<0.01). ConclusionDihuang Yinzi can improve cognitive dysfunction in AD mice by protecting astrocytes, increasing Glu uptake to reduce its abnormal accumulation, and protecting synaptic structure and function.
5.Association between time spent on digital devices and body weight overestimation in children and adolescents
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(3):366-369
Objective:
To explore the association between digital devices usage and body weight overestimation in children and adolescents aged 7-18, in order to provide a scientific basis for body weight overestimation prevention in children and adolescents.
Methods:
Based on the data of the Research Special Project for Public Welfare Industry of Health using stratified cluster sampling method in 2012, a tatal of 40 073 children and adolescents from 7 provinces with complete information were chosen. Ordinal multivariable Logistic regression model estimated the association between digital devices usage and body weight overestimation.
Results:
A total of 4 276(11.8%) students with overestimation of body weight were detected, who spent >300 min/d time in digital devices(5.12%) than others (3.84%)( χ 2=19.14, P <0.01). Univariate analysis showed that students with time spent on digital devices >300 min/d had a higher risk in overestimation of body weight ( OR=1.36,95%CI=1.18-1.57,P <0.01) compared with students who spent on digital devices≤120 min/d. There was still a significant association after confounder adjustment ( OR=1.28, 95%CI= 1.10-1.48,P <0.05). Stratified analysis showed that the association between digital devices usage and overestimation of body weight were only observed in girls, 11-18 years old and non single child( P <0.05).
Conclusion
The time usage of digital devices is associated with overestimation of body weight in children and adolescents. It may helpful for children and adolescents to prevent overestimation of body weight by reducing time spent on digital devices.
6.Effect of Toddalia asiatica Alcohol Extract on Apoptosis of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cells Based on Autophagy Pathway
Lan HONG ; Hao WU ; Rui TIAN ; Jia FENG ; Ziming HOU ; Mengjie TIAN ; Bonan TAO ; Xi SHEN ; Chunyu CAO ; Lin YUAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(20):78-85
ObjectiveTo study the effects of Toddalia asiatica alcohol extract on autophagy and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells, and to explore its possible mechanism. MethodA549 cells were cultured in vitro. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the proliferation of A549 cells, and cell survival rate was calculated to screen the drug concentration. The apoptosis in each dose group and that after the use of 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, were detected by flow cytometry combined with Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins such as B cell lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (cleaved Caspase-3), activated poly (Adenosine diphosphate) ribonucleotide polymerase (cleaved PARP1), PARP1, activated death activator (t-Bid), Bid, and ubiquitin-binding protein p62 in each group and those after the use of 3-MA. ResultCompared with the conditions in the control group, the cell survival rate in 0.25 g·L-1 group (P<0.05), and 0.5, 1, 2, 4 g·L-1 groups (P<0.01) was decreased after 24 h intervention. Additionally, the cell survival rate was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner at 48 h and it was less than 10% at 4 g·L-1 (P<0.01). Compared with the conditions in the control group, the total apoptosis rate in 0.5 g·L-1 group was increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rate in 1 and 2 g·L-1 groups was also increased (P<0.01). Compared with the 2 g·L-1 group and 3-MA group, the 3-MA combined with T. asiatica alcohol extract had significantly decreased apoptosis rate (P<0.01). Compared with the conditions in the control group, elevated expression of pro-apoptotic proteins cleaved PARP1, Bax and t-Bid in 1 and 2 g·L-1 groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and reduced expression of Bid in the 2 g·L-1 group (P<0.01) were found. Compared with the conditions in the control group, the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01) and the level of p62 (P<0.01) were down-regulated in 0.5, 1, 2 g·L-1 groups, while the level of LC3 Ⅱ protein was up-regulated (P<0.01), with certain concentration dependence. ConclusionT. asiatica alcohol extract could significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells, which might be related to promoting autophagy and inducing apoptosis.
7.Effectiveness analysis and inspirations of rational administration of carbapenem
Yan ZHANG ; Mengjie WANG ; Yin XU ; Xiaozhou HE ; Fei HUA ; Jun ZHOU ; Yuyue WANG ; Chunyan QIAN ; Lifei YANG ; Li LI ; Bin WANG ; Keye TAO ; Ling YANG
Chinese Journal of Hospital Administration 2018;34(4):310-314
The hospital introduced a multi-department synergy in management of the rational use of carbapenems. Specifically,the medical affairs department conducts training and appraisal of doctors along with a monthly checkup of medical records. The pharmaceutical affairs division conducts prior prescriptions checkup and follow-up comment. The clinical microbiology laboratory and the hospital-acquired infection management department monitors and releases such infection and bacterial resistance information of the whole hospital in real time. The results showed increased prescriptions of imipenem and cilastatin sodium, and decreased prescriptions of biapenem for injection. Drug resistance analysis showed that carbapenem resistant strains increased by 28%,but the total number of patients reduced by 10% and total number of patients with multidrug resistance remained unchanged. It is proposed to further antimicrobial stewardship in the hospital to achieve rational drug use and curb bacterial resistance.
8.Action mechanisms of acid-resistant Streptococcus sanguis against Streptococcus mutans
Xiu JIANG ; Yingming SUN ; Rui TAO ; Mengjie ZHANG ; Mengyao HOU
Journal of Medical Postgraduates 2017;30(4):371-375
Objective Streptococcus sanguis is a possible candidate bacterium for the caries replacement therapy, which has no advantages in the acidic environment.The aim of the study was to construct acid-resistant strains of Streptococcus sanguis, determine its acid tolerance, and explore the mechanism of its antagonism against Sterptococcus mutans.Methods By gradually reducing the pH value of the medium, we constructed acid-resistant strains of Streptococcus sanguis, observed their growth and measured their acid tolerance according to their survival rate against lethal pH.We evaluated the competitive relationship between Streptococcus sanguis and Streptococcus mutans by plate experiment and detected the changes of related acid resistance genes by real-time quantitative PCR.Results The growth of Streptococcus sanguis and its acid-resistant strains were limited by the pH value, and that of Streptococcus sanguis was better in either acidic or normal environment.The lethal pH value of Streptococcus sanguis was 3.6, that of its acid-resistant strains was 2.3, and the survival rate of the acid-resistant strains was 66.59% in the pH 3.6 environment.In comparison, the lethal pH value of Streptococcus mutans was 2.5, that of its acid-resistant strains was 2.1, and the survival rate of the acid-resistant strains was 2.55% in the pH 2.5 environment.In the presence of chloramphenicol, the acid-resistant strains could not survive in the original lethal pH.In the sub-lethal pH environment, the expressions of the acid resistance-related genes Groel and Dnak in the acid-resistant strains were significantly up-regulated as compared with those in the original Streptococcus sanguis (P<0.05).Conclusion Streptococcus sanguis has an acid adaptability and can enhance acid resistance in the sub-lethal pH environment.Acid-resistant Streptococcus sanguis in the replacement therapy may provide some new ideas for the treatment of dental caries.
9.Effect of Shaofu Zhuyu Decoction on Primary Dysmenorrhea in Rats
Liming YUAN ; Xianxian ZHOU ; Mengjie YANG ; Wanxin OUYANG ; Shijie JIA ; Xiangguan LIU ; Haochu MAO ; Xiaojun TAO ; Huazhong YANG
Herald of Medicine 2017;36(12):1350-1354
Objective To investigate the effect of the Shaofu zhuyu decoction on the changes of the body writhing behavior,inflammatory reaction and COX-2 expression of the rats with the primary dysmenorrhea. Methods Fifty SD female rats were randomly divided into blank control group,model control group,high,middle and low dose of Shaofu zhuyu decoction groups,10 in each group.Dysmenorrhea rat model was established by treating with estradiol benzoate and oxytocin.Effect of Shaofu zhuyu decoction of different doses on writhing behavior,changes of endometritis cells and COX-2 expression in uterine smooth muscle of dysmenorrhea rats were observed. Results In the model control group,latency of the body writhing behavior was shortened and the total score was high,many inflammatory cells (especially for neutrophils) infiltrated in endometrium and uterine smooth muscle,immunohistochemistry showed that brown granules were found in the cytoplasm of smooth muscle cells of uterus,and COX-2 expression was positive in uterine smooth muscle cells.As compared with the model control group,writhing latency increased,total score decreased in both the high and middle dose of Shaofu zhuyu decoction groups,and infiltration of a small number of inflammatory cells was seen in the endometrium and smooth muscle(P<0.01);COX-2 expression was decreased (P<0.01) especially for the high dose of Shaofu zhuyu decoction group.As compared with the model control group,the latency of the low dose of Shaofu zhuyu decoction group was significantly increased,and the total score was decreased(P<0.01),but there was no significant difference in inflammatory cell infiltration and COX-2 expression (P>0.05). Conclusion A potential mechanism by which Shaofu zhuyu decotion treats primary dysmenorrhea may be related with alleviating pain,inhibiting inflammatory responses,and down-regulating expression of COX-2.
10.Effect of recombinant human annexin A5 on expression of p-PKCα and p120-catenin during endotoxin-induced damage to cardiomyocytes
Tao ZHAO ; Changping GU ; Mengjie LIU ; Dong WANG ; Fei ZHOU ; Yanzhu GONG ; Yuelan WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2016;36(5):610-612
Objective To evaluate the effect of recombinant human annexin A5 on the expression of phosphorylated protein kinase C alpha (p-PKCα) and p120-catenin during endotoxin-induced damage to cardiomyocytes.Methods H9c2 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=18 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),endotoxin group (group L),and recombinant human annexin A5 group (group A).Recombinant human annexin A5 (final concentration 5 ng/ml) was added,and the cells were incubated for 2 h in group A,and then lipopolysaccharide (final concentration 1 μg/ml) was added,and the cells were incubated for 4 h in L and A groups.At 4 h of incubation,cell apoptosis was detected using the cell apoptosis detection kit,the intercellular space was measured using the confocal microscopy,and the expression of p-PKCα and p120-catenin was determined by Western blot.The apoptosis rate was calculated.Results Compared with group C,the apoptosis rate was significantly increased,the intercellular space was significantly widened,the expression of p120-catenin was significantly down-regulated,and the expression of p-PKCα was significantly up-regulated in group L (P<0.05).Compared with group L,the apoptosis rate and intercellular space were significantly decreased,the expression of p120-catenin was significantly up-regulated,and the expression of p-PKCα was significantly down-regulated in group A (P<0.05).Conclusion Recombinant human annexin A5 can inhibit phosphorylation of PKCα and up-regulate the expression of p120-catenin,thus attenuating endotoxin-induced damage to cardiomyocytes.


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