1.Relationship between preoperative serum bilirubin concentration and postoperative delirium in patients undergoing knee or hip replacement
Shuhui HUA ; Mengya ZHANG ; Shanling XU ; Yunchao YANG ; Haoran ZHANG ; Chuan LI ; Yanan LIN ; Rui DONG ; Hongyan GONG ; Xu LIN ; Yanlin BI ; Bin WANG
Chinese Journal of Anesthesiology 2024;44(3):286-291
Objective:To evaluate the relationship between preoperative serum bilirubin concentrations and postoperative delirium (POD) in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement.Methods:Medical records from 413 patients undergoing knee or hip arthroplasty were selected from August 2020 to October 2023 at Qingdao Municipal Hospital using a nested case-control design based on the PNDABLE study cohort. The patients were divided into POD group ( n=77) and non-POD group ( n=336) according to whether POD occurred. Univariate analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for POD. The significance of mediation effect was tested. The receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate the accuracy of risk factors in predicting POD. Results:There were significant differences in age, education time, ratio of diabetes history, Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score, total bilirubin concentration, direct bilirubin concentration, indirect bilirubin concentration, Aβ 42 concentration, p-tau concentration, t-tau concentration, Aβ 42/p-tau ratio and Aβ 42/t-tau ratio between POD group and non-POD group ( P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin were risk factors for POD ( P<0.05). The results of mediation effects showed that the concentration of total tau protein in CSF partly mediated the relationship between high serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and POD. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin combined with CSF biomarker concentrations in predicting POD was 0.83 ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Preoperative elevated concentrations of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin are risk factors for POD in the patients undergoing knee or hip replacement. CSF t-tau concentration has a partly mediating role in the association between serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin concentrations and the development of POD.
2.Identification of potential immune-related mechanisms related to the development of multiple myeloma
Yaomei WANG ; Wenli ZHANG ; Tiandong LI ; Mengmeng LIU ; Mengya GAO ; Xinqing LI ; Yufei CHEN ; Yongping SONG ; Wei LI ; Chunyan DU ; Fang WANG ; Lina LIU
Chinese Medical Journal 2024;137(13):1603-1613
Background::Although significant advances have been made in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), leading to unprecedented response and survival rates among patients, the majority eventually relapse, and a cure remains elusive. This situation is closely related to an incomplete understanding of the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the immune microenvironment, especially monocytes/macrophages, in patients with treatment-na?ve MM.Methods::This study used the single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of both patients with MM and heathy donors to identify immune cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, T cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and monocytes/macrophages. Transcriptomic data and flow cytometry analysis of monocytes/macrophages were used to further examine the effect of monocytes/macrophages in treatment-na?ve MM patients.Results::A significant difference was observed between the bone marrow (BM) immune cells of the healthy controls and treatment-na?ve MM patients through scRNA-seq. It is noteworthy that, through an scRNA-seq data analysis, this study found that interferon (IFN)-induced NK/T cells, terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) cells, T-helper cells characterized by expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG +Th cells), IFN-responding exhausted T cells, mannose receptor C-type 1 (MRC1) + DCs, IFN-responding DCs, MHCII + DCs, and immunosuppressive monocytes/macrophages were enriched in patients with treatment-na?ve MM. Significantly, transcriptomic data of monocytes/macrophages demonstrated that "don’t eat me" -related genes and IFN-induced genes increase in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Furthermore, scRNA-seq, transcriptomic data, and flow cytometry also showed an increased proportion of CD16 + monocytes/macrophages and expression level of CD16. Cell-cell communication analysis indicated that monocytes/macrophages, whose related important signaling pathways include migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and interleukin 16 (IL-16) signaling pathway, are key players in treatment-na?ve MM patients. Conclusions::Our findings provide a comprehensive and in-depth molecular characterization of BM immune cell census in MM patients, especially for monocytes/macrophages. Targeting macrophages may be a novel treatment strategy for patients with MM.
3.Circ_0000263 improves radiosensitivity of Hela cells by inhibiting the activity of telomerase protein through miR-338-3p/TERT
Chong WANG ; Yankun HUO ; Mengya LI ; Chan LI ; Xiaohui SHEN ; Shujuan WANG ; Yanfang LIU ; Zhongxing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(7):676-685
Objective:To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of circ_0000263 on HeLa cell activity, apoptosis, telomerase activity, and radiosensitivity.Methods:The Hela cells were divided into si-NC, si-circ, vector, circ_0000263, anti-NC, anti-miR-338-3p, miR-NC, miR-338-3p, si-circ+anti-NC, si-circ+ anti-miR-338-3p, si-circ+vector, si-circ+TERT, sh-NC, sh-circ groups. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p. Cell clone formation array was used to detect cell survival; cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to detect cell proliferation; flow cytometry to detect apoptosis; western blot method to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cleaved-casp3, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) proteins; double luciferase assay to detect the targeting relationships of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p, miR-338-3p and TERT; telomere repeat amplification enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TRAR-ELISA) to detect telomerase activity.Results:Circ_0000263 was highly expressed in Hela cells, miR-338-3p was low expressed, and TERT was highly expressed; circ_0000263 was also highly expressed in Hela cells treated with radiation ( P<0.05). Knockdown of circ_0000263 inhibited the clone formation and cell proliferation ability of HeLa cells, and enhanced the radiosensitivity and apoptosis of HeLa cells. In contrast, knockdown of circ_0000263 decreased PCNA protein expression level and enhanced Cleaved-casp3 protein expression level in HeLa cells ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ group was (13.19±1.12)%, which was higher than (6.80±0.62)% of si-NC group ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+4 Gy group was (24.82±1.57)%, which was higher than (17.00±0.96)% of si-NC+4 Gy group ( P<0.05). Circ_0000263 targeted regulated miR-338-3p, and miR-338-3p targeted regulated TERT. MiR-338-3p was lowly expressed in HeLa cells, and knockdown of circ_0000263 elevated miR-338-3p expression level in HeLa cells. Circ_0000263 regulated TERT expression and inhibited telomerase activity through miR-338-3p. MiR-338-3p/TERT can restore the effect of circ_0000263 on the radiosensitivity of Hela cells. The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+anti-NC group was (27.37±0.89)%, which was higher than (18.22±1.18)% of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+vector group was (27.55±0.48)%, which was higher than (20.10±0.68)% of si-circ+TERT group ( P<0.05). After 72 hours of radiation by 4 Gy, the cell survival fraction of si-circ+anti-NC group was 0.41±0.02, which was lower than 0.66±0.03 of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P<0.05); the cell survival fraction of si-circ+vector group was 0.42±0.05, which was lower than 0.70±0.03 of si-circ+TERT group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Inhibiting the expression of circ_0000263 supresses the proliferation of Hela cells by regulating miR-338-3p/TERT, promotes apoptosis, inhibits telomerase activity, increases the radiosensitivity of cancer cells, and provides a theoretical basis for improving the radiosensitivity of Hela cells.
4.The value of T2 mapping sequence combined with apparent diffusion coefficient values in identifying benign and malignant breast lesions
Qi XU ; Yongsheng HE ; Hongkai YANG ; Mengya WANG ; Xuan QI ; Xudong MENG
Journal of Practical Radiology 2024;40(7):1087-1090
Objective To investigate the value of T2 mapping sequence combined with apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)values in identifying benign and malignant breast lesions.Methods Ninety-two patients with breast mass were retrospectively selected,all patients received MRI examination,T2 mapping sequence and ADC values were selected for image analysis,and all patients underwent surgical biopsy and pathological diagnosis,the clinical value of T2 mapping sequence combined with ADC values in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions was observed.Results After pathological examination,52 patients were diagnosed as malignant breast lesions and the remaining 40 were diagnosed as benign breast lesions.Among 52 patients with malignant lesions,51 were diag-nosed as malignant and 1 was diagnosed as benign by ADC values.Among the 40 cases of benign lesions,16 were diagnosed as malig-nant and 24 were diagnosed as benign by ADC values.The difference between the mean T2 values of benign breast lesions and malig-nant breast lesions was not significant(P>0.05);but the coefficient of variation(CV)of T2 values of malignant breast lesions was significantly higher than that of benign breast lesions,and the difference was significant(P<0.05),and the diagnostic efficacy of T2 mapping and ADC value single examination was lower than that of the combined examination(P<0.05).Conclusion T2 mapping sequence and ADC value in MRI have the ability to diagnose and distinguish benign and malignant breast,especially the value of the joint application of the two is more prominent,improve the diagnostic accuracy,sensitivity and specificity,and can provide more accurate reference information for clinical practice,which is worth popularizing.
5.Circ_0000263 improves radiosensitivity of Hela cells by inhibiting the activity of telomerase protein through miR-338-3p/TERT
Chong WANG ; Yankun HUO ; Mengya LI ; Chan LI ; Xiaohui SHEN ; Shujuan WANG ; Yanfang LIU ; Zhongxing JIANG
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(7):676-685
Objective:To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of circ_0000263 on HeLa cell activity, apoptosis, telomerase activity, and radiosensitivity.Methods:The Hela cells were divided into si-NC, si-circ, vector, circ_0000263, anti-NC, anti-miR-338-3p, miR-NC, miR-338-3p, si-circ+anti-NC, si-circ+ anti-miR-338-3p, si-circ+vector, si-circ+TERT, sh-NC, sh-circ groups. Reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p. Cell clone formation array was used to detect cell survival; cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) to detect cell proliferation; flow cytometry to detect apoptosis; western blot method to detect the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cleaved-casp3, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) proteins; double luciferase assay to detect the targeting relationships of circ_0000263 and miR-338-3p, miR-338-3p and TERT; telomere repeat amplification enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (TRAR-ELISA) to detect telomerase activity.Results:Circ_0000263 was highly expressed in Hela cells, miR-338-3p was low expressed, and TERT was highly expressed; circ_0000263 was also highly expressed in Hela cells treated with radiation ( P<0.05). Knockdown of circ_0000263 inhibited the clone formation and cell proliferation ability of HeLa cells, and enhanced the radiosensitivity and apoptosis of HeLa cells. In contrast, knockdown of circ_0000263 decreased PCNA protein expression level and enhanced Cleaved-casp3 protein expression level in HeLa cells ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ group was (13.19±1.12)%, which was higher than (6.80±0.62)% of si-NC group ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+4 Gy group was (24.82±1.57)%, which was higher than (17.00±0.96)% of si-NC+4 Gy group ( P<0.05). Circ_0000263 targeted regulated miR-338-3p, and miR-338-3p targeted regulated TERT. MiR-338-3p was lowly expressed in HeLa cells, and knockdown of circ_0000263 elevated miR-338-3p expression level in HeLa cells. Circ_0000263 regulated TERT expression and inhibited telomerase activity through miR-338-3p. MiR-338-3p/TERT can restore the effect of circ_0000263 on the radiosensitivity of Hela cells. The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+anti-NC group was (27.37±0.89)%, which was higher than (18.22±1.18)% of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate in the si-circ+vector group was (27.55±0.48)%, which was higher than (20.10±0.68)% of si-circ+TERT group ( P<0.05). After 72 hours of radiation by 4 Gy, the cell survival fraction of si-circ+anti-NC group was 0.41±0.02, which was lower than 0.66±0.03 of the si-circ+anti-miR-338-3p group ( P<0.05); the cell survival fraction of si-circ+vector group was 0.42±0.05, which was lower than 0.70±0.03 of si-circ+TERT group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Inhibiting the expression of circ_0000263 supresses the proliferation of Hela cells by regulating miR-338-3p/TERT, promotes apoptosis, inhibits telomerase activity, increases the radiosensitivity of cancer cells, and provides a theoretical basis for improving the radiosensitivity of Hela cells.
6.Biomechanical and Lateralized Lower Limb Kinematics of Males with Unilateral Functional Ankle Instability During Continuous Vertical Jump Landing
Zilong WANG ; Zhiqi ZHANG ; Lingyue MENG ; Mengya LU ; Jiawei BAO ; Qiuxia ZHANG ; Lingyu KONG
Journal of Medical Biomechanics 2024;39(5):931-938
Objective This study investigated lower limb biomechanics and lateral asymmetry during the continuous vertical jump(CVJ)landing process in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability(FAI)and compared these characteristics with those of healthy individuals.Methods Fourteen males with unilateral FAI were selected as the experimental group,and 14 males without ankle joint injury were matched to the control group.Both the groups performed 30 CVJ landing tasks.Lower limb kinematic and kinetic characteristics during the 1st,15th,and 30th CVJ landings were synchronously collected using Vicon and Kistler equipment,and a 2×3 mixed analysis of variance was adopted for the data.Results In the execution of CVJ landing tasks,patients with FAI demonstrated no significant differences in the kinematic and kinetic characteristics of the affected limbs compared with healthy controls.However,a greater degree of lateral asymmetry was observed in the FAI group,particularly in the symmetry index(SI)of the vGRF peak.Despite the increase in the number of jump landings and consequent increase in fatigue levels,which led to adjustments in lower limb movement patterns,these adjustments did not appear to have a significant impact on the biomechanical characteristics and asymmetry of the affected limb in patients with FAI.Conclusions This study provides a theoretical basis for the prevention of recurrent ankle sprains in patients with FAI,as well as rehabilitation training prior to their return to sports.These findings underscore the importance of addressing lower limb asymmetry in the rehabilitation training of patients with FAI to reduce the risk of potential long-term injuries.When formulating rehabilitation plans for patients with FAI,particular attention should be paid to the correction of lower limb asymmetry with consideration of biomechanical adaptability under different states to achieve a more comprehensive rehabilitation outcome.
7.Current status and influencing factors of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with hospitalization-associated disability
Mengya HAN ; Xinyu ZHAO ; Yanqiu WANG ; Ludan XU ; Yuhua LIU ; Binru HAN
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(19):2533-2538
Objective:To explore the current status of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with hospitalization-associated disability (HAD) and explore its influencing factors.Methods:From November 2023 to January 2024, convenience sampling was used to select 203 elderly patients with HAD at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University as the study subjects. A survey was conducted on elderly patients using the General Information Questionnaire, Fried Frailty Phenotype, Barthel Index, Social Support Rating Scale, and Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Tool. Binomial Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with HAD.Results:A total of 203 questionnaires were distributed, and 199 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 98.03% (199/203). The total score of intrinsic capacity in 199 elderly patients with HAD was 5.00 (4.00, 6.00), with scores for cognitive dimension, psychological dimension, motor dimension, vitality dimension, and sensory dimension being 1.00 (1.00, 2.00), 2.00 (1.00, 2.00), 0 (0, 1.00), 1.00 (1.00, 1.00) and 1.00 (1.00, 1.00), respectively. The binomial Logistic regression showed that department of medicine and surgery, self-rating health status, social support, serum albumin, and Barthel Index were the influencing factors of intrinsic capacity in elderly patients with HAD ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The intrinsic capacity of elderly patients with HAD is at medium to low level, with the most severe impairment in the motor dimension. Medical and nursing staff should develop personalized rehabilitation measures for elderly HAD patients based on the influencing factors of their intrinsic capacity, enhance their intrinsic capacity, and reduce the burden of care on families and society.
8.Current situation and influencing factors of ageism among older adults in megacity communities
Xinyu ZHAO ; Si WANG ; Mengya HAN ; Yuhong LUO ; Shuao TANG ; Yan XU
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2024;30(19):2545-2550
Objective:To explore the current situation of ageism among older adults in megacity communities and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:From November to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to select 200 older adults who visited the Niujie Community Health Service Center in Xicheng District, Beijing as the research subject. A survey was conducted on older adults using the General Information Questionnaire, Barthel Index, 15-Item Geriatric Depression Scale, Family Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection and Resolve Scale (Family APGAR Scale), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, and Ageism Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of ageism among older adults in the community.Results:A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed and 200 valid questionnaires were collected, with a valid response rate of 100.00% (200/200). The total score of ageism among 200 older adults in the community was (3.55±0.31), with objective and subjective scores of (3.59±0.28) and (3.50±0.48), respectively. Multiple linear regression showed that occupational status, pre-retirement or current work, family care, self-esteem, and social support were the influencing factors of ageism among older adults in the community ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Ageism among older adults is influenced by various factors. Medical and nursing staff should focus on older adults who are retired, mainly engaged in physical work, and have poor family and social support when formulating intervention strategies. Community health workers should regularly organize activities to encourage older adults to actively participate, enhance their sense of social participation, reduce ageism, so as to promote healthy aging.
9.Effect of hydrogen-rich water on brain injury in rats with acute radiation based on PI3K/AKT/Caspase-9 signaling pathway
Yong WANG ; Xiaoman CHEN ; Mengya LIU ; Hao LUO ; Yongli WANG ; Xiaoming LIU ; Xiujun QIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(3):246-253
Background At present, radiation therapy is widely used in clinical treatment of tumors. However, while radiation therapy damages tumor cells, it also injures surrounding normal tissues. Studies have shown that hydrogen is a potential radiation-protective agent. Objective To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of hydrogen-rich water activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/cysteinyl aspartate specificproteinase-9 (Caspase-9) signaling pathway in acute radiation-induced brain injury. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, irradiation only group (IR), high-dose hydrogen-rich water intervention group (IR+HHRW), and low-dose hydrogen-rich water intervention group (IR+LHRW), 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group, animals in each group received a single 20 Gy whole brain irradiation. Animals in all groups were gavaged once a day from 3 d before irradiation to 7 d after irradiation, pure water (20 mL·kg−1) was given to the control and the IR groups, and hydrogen-rich water (20 mL·kg−1, 10 mL·kg−1) was given to the IR+HHRW and the IR+LHRW groups. After 7 d of intervention, 5 rats in each group were selected for the Morris water maze experiment for behavioral evaluation. Autopsies were conducted after anesthesia for the remaining animals and blood samples were collected for hematological analysis. Rat brains were harvested for TUNEL staining to observe neuronal apoptosis. HE staining was performed to observe histopathological changes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was adopted to detect oxidative stress-related indicators, and real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to measure the expressions of PI3K/AKT/Caspase-9 pathway-related genes and proteins. Results The body weight of rats receiving irradiation decreased after 7 d of irradiation compared with the control group (P<0.05), and the symptoms such as arched back and malaise occurred to varying degrees, and the symptoms of rats in the IR+HHRW group were significantly milder than those in the IR group. The behavioral test results showed that the escape latency of rats in the IR+HHRW group or the IR+LHRW group was shorter than that in the IR group from day 2 to day 5 (P<0.05), and it took less time for rats in the IR+HHRW group to reach the original position after removing the platform on day 6 (P<0.05). The hematological test results showed that red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (HGB) level, and white blood cell (WBC) count were significantly decreased in the IR group (P<0.05), and the changes in the IR+HHRW group were improved (P<0.05). The HE staining results showed that the number of abnormal nerve cells, broken and dissolved nuclei, and the degree of damage in the IR+HHRW group were significantly reduced than those in the IR group. The results of oxidative stress evaluation showed that the ability of the IR group to inhibit free radicals decreased, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased (P<0.01); the MDA level decreased after LHRW intervention (P<0.05); the SOD activity was elevated after HHRW intervention (P<0.05). The TUNEL staining results showed that the apoptosis signals in the IR+HHRW group were sparser than those in the IR group (P<0.05). The real-time PCR results showed that compared with the IR group, the mRNA expression levels of PI3K and AKT in the IR+HHRW group and the IR+LHRW group increased (P<0.05), while the mRNA expression levels of Cytc and Caspase-9 decreased (P<0.05). The Western blotting results showed that compared with the IR group, the phospho-AKT (pAKT) protein expression level in the IR+HHRW group increased significantly (P<0.05), while the expression of Caspase-9 and Cytc proteins decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Hydrogen-rich water can significantly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by acute irradiation-induced brain injury, and decrease neuronal apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to the PI3K/AKT/Caspase-9 signaling pathway.
10.Role of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in hydrogen-rich water improving cognitive impairment induced by ionizing radiation in rats
Xiaoman CHEN ; Yong WANG ; Mengya LIU ; Hao LUO ; Yongli WANG ; Jianguo LI ; Xiujun QIN
Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2023;40(3):254-260
Background In the process of radiotherapy, when radiation kills tumor cells, it inevitably damages normal tissue cells. Objective To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor−kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in the improvement of cognitive impairment induced by ionizing radiation by hydrogen-rich water before and after whole brain irradiation in rats. Methods Fifteen male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, irradiated group (IR group), and hydrogen-rich water intervention group (IR+HRW group), with 5 rats in each group. The control group was not irradiated, but was given purified water (20 mL·kg−1) by gavage every day, while the IR group and the IR+HRW group were irradiated with a single dose of 20 Gy. Three days before, 10 min before, and 30 days after irradiation, purified water/hydrogen-rich water (20 mL·kg−1) was given by continuous gavage every day. The general condition of the rats was observed every day, and the body weight were measured on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th days after irradiation. On the 30th day after irradiation, the learning and memory ability of the rats was tested by Morris water maze; the pathological changes of hippocampus were detected by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining after sacrificing the rats; the contents of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and hydroxyl radicals in brain tissues were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, NOD-like receptor pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (Caspase 1) were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting in the hippocampus of rats. Results After irradiation, the rats in the IR group showed symptoms such as head hair removal and salivation, while the symptoms of the rats in the IR+HRW group were milder. No animal died in the control and the IR+HRW groups, while one rat died in the IR group. From day 14 to day 30 after irradiation, the body weight of the rats in the IR+HRW group tended to be higher than that in the IR group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The Morris water maze results showed that the escape latency of the IR+HRW group was shortened compared with that of IR group from day 1 to day 5 except day 3, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). For the rats in the IR+HRW group, it took less time to reach the original location of the platform after removing the platform on day 6 and the number of crossing the platform and the residence time in the original platform quadrant increased (P<0.05). The HE staining showed that the number of hippocampal cells in the IR+HRW group was slightly reduced and arranged neatly, without obvious nuclear hyperchromatic and pyknotic phenomenon. The ELISA results showed that the MDA and hydroxyl radical levels were decreased in the IR+HRW group compared with the IR group (P<0.05), the GSH content was increased, and the IL-1β concentration was decreased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of TLR4 and Caspase 1 in the hippocampus of the IR+HRW group were decreased compared with the IR group (P<0.05), and the mRNA expression levels of NF-κB and NLRP3 were also decreased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the expression levels of TLR4 and Caspase 1 protein in the hippocampus of the IR+HRW group were decreased compared with the IR group (P<0.05), and the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and NLRP3 protein were also decreased, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Hydrogen-rich water can improve cognitive impairment induced by ionizing radiation in rats, and its mechanism may be related to regulating TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, inhibiting inflammatory factors, and attenuating oxidative stress.

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