By analyzing the current application of multi-modal data in the diagnosis of gastric "inflammation-cancer" transformation， this study explored the feasibility and strategies for constructing a disease-syndrome integrated diagnosis and treatment system. Based on traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） phenomics， we proposed utilizing multi-modal data from literature research， cross-sectional studies， and cohort follow-ups， combined with artificial intelligence technology， to establish a multi-dimensional diagnostic and treatment index system. This approach aims to uncover the complex pathogenesis and transformation patterns of gastric "inflammation-cancer" progression. Additionally， by dynamically collecting TCM four-diagnostic information and modern medical diagnostic information through a long-term follow-up system， we developed three major modules including information extraction， multi-modal phenotypic modeling， and information output， to make it enable real-world clinical data-driven long-term follow-up and treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis. This system can provide technical support for clinical diagnosis， treatment evaluation， and research， while also offering insights and methods for intelligent TCM diagnosis.

Pristimerin, which is one of the compounds present in Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, has antitumor effects. However, its mechanism of action in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of pristimerin on ESCC in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of pristimerin on cell growth was assessed using trypan blue exclusion and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to identify significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cell transfection and RNA interference assays were utilized to examine the role of key proteins in pristimerin?s effect. Xenograft models were established to evaluate the antitumor efficiency of pristimerin in vivo. Pristimerin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. Upregulation of Noxa was crucial for pristimerin-induced apoptosis. Pristimerin activated the Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling pathway and triggered FoxO3a recruitment to the Noxa promoter, leading to Noxa transcription. Blocking FoxO3a reversed pristimerin-induced Noxa upregulation and cell apoptosis. Pristimerin treatment suppressed xenograft tumors in nude mice, but these effects were largely negated in Noxa-KO tumors. Furthermore, the chemosensitization effects of pristimerin in vitro and in vivo were mediated by Noxa. This study demonstrates that pristimerin exerts an antitumor effect on ESCC by inducing AKT/FoxO3a-mediated Noxa upregulation. These findings suggest that pristimerin may serve as a potent anticancer agent for ESCC treatment.
Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/physiopathology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

Objective To analyze the relationship of the volume of 87 brain regions with postnatal age and neurobehavior in full-term neonates.Methods A total of 75 full-term newborns[gestational age(39.38±1.22)weeks;male/female(51/24);postnatal age(11.11±6.67)days]without abnormalities on brain MRI(three-dimensional T1-weighted imaging,3D T1WI)at our hospital between November 2010 and September 2017 were retrospectively included.Based on the template of 87 brain regions,the neonatal brains were divided into 87 brain regions and their volumes were calculated by using V-shape Bottleneck network(VB-Net)deep learning segmentation technique,Pearson partial correlation and regression analysis were used to explore the relationship of the volume of each brain region with postnatal age and neurobehavioral scores.Results After adjusting for gestational age,birth weight,head circumference,body length and sex,66.7％of the regional brain volumes(58/87 brain regions)significantly increased with the postnatal age(correlation coefficient r:0.2-0.7,P＜0.05).The volumes of gray matter in bilateral lentiform nucleus,left caudate nucleus,right occipital lobe,right inferior temporal lobe,and bilateral anterior temporal lobe strongly correlated with the postnatal age(r＞0.50,P＜0.05).The gray matter volume of the right occipital lobe linearly increased with age(slope:100.67),and was positively correlated with behavioral scores(r=0.324,P＜0.01).Conclusion Most of regional brain volumes increase with the postnatal age during the neonatal period,and the fastest growth occurs in primary sensorimotor-related brain regions,presenting the spatial heterogeneity.Partial brain region grows with the development of behavioral ability.

Objective To explore the effect of exposure to noise of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)on children's cochlear function.Methods We prospectively recruited 72 children who underwent cranial MRI examination at our hospital from May to November 2018;3M earplugs and sponge mats were used for hearing protection during MRI scanning.Noise level(dBA)of each MRI sequence was detected with a nonmagnetic microphone and a sound level meter.Distortion product otoacoustic emissions(DPOAE)test at 2-7 kHz was performed 24 hours before and 30 minutes after the MRI examination.Paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze differences in DPOAE amplitude before and after the MRI examination.Results The average noise level of MRI measured in the study was(107.7±3.92)dBA.Compared with that before the MRI examination,the DPOAE amplitude(dB)changed little after the MRI examination;the range of amplitude differences in each age group was as follows:left ear(-0.24-1.10)and right ear(-0.24-0.74)in the 0-1 year-old group;left ear(-0.07-0.59)and right ear(-0.57-0.75)in the 2-5 year-old group;left ear(-0.36-0.44)and right ear(-0.30-0.57)in the 6-12 year-old group.No statistically significant difference was found(correction P＞0.05).Conclusion No potential impact of 3.0T MRI noise on children's cochlear function was observed under routine hearing protection.

Objective To explore the association of the magnitude of systolic blood pressure reduction(SBPr)with post-procedure 24 h symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(sICH)and 90-day clinical outcomes in patients with successful endovascular thrombectomy(EVT).Methods Consecutively registered patients with EVT caused by anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke(LVOS)in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College(Yijishan Hospital)between July 2015 and April 2023 and patients with successful reperfusion were analyzed.Demographic data,medical history(hypertension,diabetes),the trial of Org 10172 in acute stroke treatment(TOAST)classification,the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score and the baseline Alberta stroke early CT(ASPECT)score of patients were collected.And procedure related parameters(including time from onset to puncture,time from onset to reperfusion,occluded site[internal carotid artery,M1 segment of middle cerebral artery,M2 segment of middle cerebral artery],collateral circulation status[determined based on preoperative occluded angiography showing the range of collateral circulation in the occluded vessel area,defined as good collateral circulation with a reflux range of ≥ 50％and poor collateral circulation with a reflux range of＜50％]),immediate postoperative reperfusion status(evaluated using the modified thrombolysis for cerebral infarction[mTICI]grading,successful reperfusion defined as mTICI grading of 2b-3),24 hours sICH,and 90 days clinical outcomes(evaluated using the modified Rankin scale score at 90days after EVT,with a score ≤ 2indicating a good prognosis and a score＞2indicating a poor prognosis).SBPr was defined as(baseline SBP-mean SBP)/baseline SBP x 100％.According to the the magnitude of SBPr,SBPr is divided into 5 categories(＜-10％,-10％-10％,＞10％-20％,＞20％-30％and＞30％).Based on the clinical outcomes at 90 days and the occurrence of sICH at 24 hours after EVT,patients were divided into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group,as well as an sICH group and a non-sICH group.The relationship between SBPr and postoperative 90 days clinical prognosis or sICH was analyzed using a binary Logistic regression model.Subgroup analysis was conducted based on a history of hypertension(yes and no),continuous intravenous hypotensive therapy(yes and no),baseline ASPECT scores(3-5 and 6-10),and collateral circulation status(good and bad).Using a restricted cubic plot to depict the relationship between SBPr and sICH and clinical prognosis at 90days.Results(1)In total,731 patients were included.The median age was 71(62,77)years and 424(58.0％)were men.The median baseline NIHSS score was 14(12,18),the median baseline ASPECT was 9(7,10),405(55.4％)patients achieved 90-day modified Rankin scale score 0-2,and 35 patients(4.8％)developed sICH.(2)Multivariate analysis showed that the older age(OR,1.036,95％CI 1.017-1.056),the higher baseline NIHSS score(OR,1.095,95％CI1.049-1.144),the lower baseline ASPECT score(OR,0.704,95％CI 0.636-0.780),diabetes(OR,1.729,95％CI 1.084-2.758),bad collateral circulation(good collateral circulation vs.bad collateral circulation,OR,0.481,95％CI 0.332-0.696)and SBPr＞30％(SBPr-10％-10％as a reference,OR,2.238,95％CI 1.230-4.071),the higher the risk of poor clinical outcomes at 90 days(all P＜0.05).Continuous intravenous hypotensive therapy is a risk factor for postoperative 24 h sICH(OR,2.278,95％CI 1.047-4.953;P=0.038),while SBPr 20％-30％is associated with a lower risk of postoperative 24 h sICH(SBPr-10％-10％as a reference,OR,0.362,95％CI0.131-0.998;P=0.049).(3)The restrictive cube plot shows that there is a U-shaped relationship between SBPr after EVT and poor clinical outcomes at 90 days,while there is a nearly linear relationship with the occurrence of sICH.The more SBP reduction,the lower the incidence of sICH.(4)In the subgroup analyses,in the non-hypertension history and the good collateral circulation group,SBPr＞30％has a higher risk of poor clinical outcomes compared to SBPr-10％-10％(OR and 95％CI were 2.921[1.000-8.528]and 2.363[1.078-5.183],respectively,with P=0.05 or P＜0.05);After EVT,the group receiving continuous intravenous hypotensive therapy and the baseline ASPECT score 6-10 groups showed a significant correlation between SBPr＞30％and poor clinical outcomes at 90 days(SBPr-10％-10％as a reference,OR and 95％CI were 2.646[1.168-5.993]and 2.481[1.360-4.527],respectively,with P＜0.05).The correlation between SBPr and lower incidence of sICH was only found in the subgroup of poor collateral circulation(SBPr-10％-10％as a reference,SBPr＞20％-30％:OR,0.133,95％CI 0.027-0.652;SBPr＞30％:OR,0.104,95％CI 0.013-0.864;all P＜0.05).Conclusions Among patients who achieved successful reperfusion with EVT,SBPr might be related to a worse functional outcome at 90 days and sICH 24 h after operation.However,the relationship may exhibit significant heterogeneity across different subgroups.Baseline ASPECT score,history of hypertension,collateral circulation,and the use of continuous venous hypertension after EVT have been highlighted in individualized blood pressure management after EVT.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcome of endovascular treatment vs. drug treatment in patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery. Methods:Based on prospective cohort registration research data, patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of internal carotid artery were retrospectively included. They were divided into a drug treatment group and an endovascular treatment group according to the actual treatment received. The latter was further divided into a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. The endpoint events included ipsilateral ischemic stroke, any stroke, and all-cause death. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to compare the endpoint events between groups during the perioprocedural period (within 30 days), and multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was use to compare the endpoint events between the groups during the long-term follow-up. Results:A total of 684 patients were included, of which 570 (83.33%) were male, median aged 63 years (interquartile range, 56-70 years). Three hundred and fifty-three patients (51.6%) received drug treatment; 331 (48.4%) received endovascular treatment, of which 161 (48.6%) had successful recanalization. The median follow-up time was 1 223 days (interquartile range, 646.5-2 082 days), with 109 patients (15.9%) experiencing stroke recurrence events (including 87 ipsilateral ischemic stroke) and 78 (11.4%) experiencing all-cause mortality. The risk of any stroke during the perioprocedural period in the successful recanalization group was significantly higher than that in the drug treatment group (odds ratio 3.679, 95% confidence interval 1.038-13.036; P=0.044), but the risk of ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence (risk ratio 0.347, 95% confidence interval 0.152-0.791; P=0.012) and all-cause mortality (risk ratio 0.239, 95% confidence interval 0.093-0.618; P=0.003) during the long-term follow-up were significantly lower than those in the drug treatment group. Conclusions:In patients with symptomatic non-acute long-segment occlusion of the internal carotid artery, endovascular treatment can increase the risk of stroke recurrence within 30 days, but successful recanalization can reduce the risks of long-term ipsilateral ischemic stroke recurrence and all-cause mortality.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors for acute multiple vessels occlusion(MVO)and its impact on the prognosis of patients with anterior circulation acute large vessel occlusion stroke(ALVOS)who achieved successful recanalization after endovascular treatment(EVT).Methods Patients with anterior circulation ALVOS who received successful EVT at the Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between July 2015 and April 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Baseline data,including age,sex,onset-to-puncture time(OTP),onset-to-recanalization time(OTR),medical history(including atrial fibrillation,diabetes,hypertension),alcohol and smoking history,admission blood pressure(systolic and diastolic),Alberta stroke program early CT score(ASPECTS),National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score,trial of Org 10172 in acute stroke treatment(TOAST)classification(atherosclerotic type,cardioembolic type,and other etiology types),and 90-day modified Rankin scale(mRS)score were collected.Collateral circulation was assessed based on the degree of contrast agent reflux observed in the occluded arterial supply area during delayed DSA,and patients were classified into poor and good collateral circulation groups.Malignant cerebral edema was defined as a midline shift of ≥5 mm on the follow-up CT scan performed on day 3 post-surgery.The primary endpoint(efficacy indicator)was the 90-day mRS score,with mRS score≤ 2 considered as a good prognosis and mRS score＞2 considered as a poor prognosis.The secondary endpoint(safety indicator)was the 90-day mortality rate.All patients were divided into MVO and non-MVO groups based on whether they had single or multiple intracranial vessel occlusions.Acute MVO was defined as the detection of acute occlusion of other large or medium vessels,in addition to the main vessels(internal carotid artery or M1/M2 segments of the middle crebral artery[MCA]),in CT angiography,MR angiography,or DSA,resulting in ischemia in brain regions distinct from the main occlusion area.Factors that showed statistically significant differences in univariate analysis were further analyzed using multivariate Logistic regression to identify the risk factors for the occurrence of acute MVO and the factors associated with the prognosis of ALVOS patients.Results A total of 846 patients with ALVOS were included,with ages ranging from 26 to 94 years(mean age[69±11]years).The proportion of male patients was 57.2％(484/846).The median admission ASPECTS was 8(7,9)and the median admission NIHSS score was 14(12,18).The incidence of malignant cerebral edema at 3 days post-surgery was 13.4％(112/835),and the 90-day mortality rate was 19.1％(162/846).(1)Among the 846 ALVOS patients,810(95.7％)were in the non-MVO group and 36(4.3％)were in the MVO group.Univariate analysis showed significant differences between the MVO and non-MVO groups in terms of atrial fibrillation,malignant cerebral edema,admission ASPECTS,admission NIHSS scores,TOAST classification,collateral circulation,rate of complete recanalization,and 90-day poor prognosis rate(all P＜0.05).However,there was no statistically significant difference in 90-day mortality between the two groups(P=0.193).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that TOAST classification of cardioembolic type(OR,16.089,95％CI 1.835-141.061,P=0.012)and other etiology types(OR,9.768,95％CI 1.078-88.540,P=0.043)were associated with the occurrence of MVO.(2)Among the 846 ALVOS patients,445 had a good prognosis at 90days,and 401 had a poor prognosis.Univariate analysis showed that,compared to the good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had a lower proportion of males and smokers,and a higher proportion of patients with older age,higher baseline systolic blood pressure,hypertension,diabetes,and atrial fibrillation(all P＜0.01).Additionally,the poor prognosis group had higher admission NIHSS scores(P＜0.01),lower admission ASPECTS,lower rates of good collateral circulation and complete recanalization,higher rates of malignant cerebral edema and MVO,and statistically significant differences in TOAST classification distribution(all P＜0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that MVO was associated with poor 90-day prognosis in ALVOS patients after EVT(OR,3.368,95％CI 1.149-9.878,P=0.027).Furthermore,older age(OR,1.045,95％CI 1.025-1.066),diabetes(OR,1.719,95％CI 1.080-2.734),higher baseline systolic blood pressure(OR,1.012,95％CI 1.004-1.019),lower admission ASPECTS(OR,0.746,95％CI 0.674-0.826),higher admission NIHSS score(OR,1.115,95％CI 1.070-1.162),without immediate postoperative complete recanalization(OR,0.413,95％CI 0.290-0.592),poor collateral circulation(OR,0.594,95％CI 0.415-0.851),and malignant cerebral edema(OR,6.191,95％CI 3.026-12.670)were all associated with poor 90-day prognosis after EVT in ALVOS patients(all P＜0.05).Conclusions The TOAST classification of cardioembolic type and other etiology types is associated with MVO.MVO is a risk factor for poor outcomes after successful EVT in ALVOS patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of FCN gene on the susceptibility of pre-eclampsia (PE) in Han nationality pregnant women.Methods:A total of 274 PE pregnant women (PE group) and 154 healthy pregnant women (control group) admitted to Boai Hospital of Zhongshan, Affiliated Hospital to Southern Medical University from October 2020 to October 2022 were collected. The general information, medical history, reproductive history, blood pressure, body mass index and blood biochemical indicators before delivery were compared between the two groups. Twenty-three SNP loci of FCN gene family were genotyped by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and the serum levels of ficolins (ficolin-1, -2 and -3) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:(1) Compared with the control group, the body mass index, mean arterial pressure, gestational age at delivery, blood urea nitrogen, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, direct bilirubin, albumin, and C-reactive protein in the PE group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The levels of N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), placental growth factor (PlGF) and human soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (sFlt-1) were significantly different between the two groups (all P<0.05). (2) Among the 23 SNP loci in FCN gene family, 18 loci were in Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium, including 5 loci in FCN1 gene, 10 loci in FCN2 gene, and 3 loci in FCN3 gene. Five loci that did not conform to Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium were not included in the subsequent analysis. Compared with the control group, the genotype distribution of 3 loci of FCN2 gene (rs7872508, rs11103563, rs73664188) and 1 locus of FCN3 gene (rs3813800) in the PE group were significantly different (all P<0.05). After Bonferroni correction, only the genotype distribution of rs7872508 and rs73664188 in FCN2 gene were statistically different between the PE group and the control group (all P<0.05). Further analysis showed that for the rs7872508 locus of FCN2 gene, compared with GG genotype, genotype GT ( OR=3.025, 95% CI: 1.080-8.471) and TT ( OR=4.777, 95% CI: 1.758-12.979) both significantly increased the risk of PE (both P<0.05). For rs73664188 locus of FCN2 gene, compared with TT genotype, genotype TC ( OR=0.510, 95% CI: 0.334-0.778) significantly reduced the risk of PE ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with the control group, the serum levels of ficolin-1 and ficolin-2 in pregnant women in the PE group were significantly reduced (both P<0.05), while the level of ficolin-3 showed no significant change ( P=0.271). Correlation analysis showed that the serum levels of ficolin-2 in pregnant women in the PE group were significantly positively correlated with PlGF level ( r=0.321, P<0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with sFlt-1 level ( r=-0.187, P=0.002) and NT-proBNP level ( r=-0.392, P<0.001). Further analysis revealed that the serum levels of ficolin-2 in pregnant women of the PE group with GT and TT genotypes at rs7872508 locus of FCN2 gene were significantly reduced (both P<0.05), while the serum level of ficolin-2 in pregnant women of the PE group with TC genotype at the rs73664188 locus were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The SNP of FCN2 gene in FCN gene family might be related to the susceptibility to PE and have an effect on serum ficolin-2 level in PE pregnant women.

Objective:To explore the roles and mechanisms of metformin in the improvement of cognitive dysfunction induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.Methods:Total 82 SD male rats (SPF grade) aged 3-4 months were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation control group (Con group, n=15), sham operation with metformin treatment group (Met group, n=20), 2-vessel occlusion group (2VO group, n=22), and 2-vessel occlusion with metformin administration group (2VO+ Met group, n=25). The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation, and the carotid arteries of rats in Con group and Met group were only separated without ligation.After 2VO operation, rats in 2VO+ Met group and Met group were given metformin solution in drinking water at a dose of 100 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks.After 4-week continuous intervention with metformin, Morris water maze was performed to test the spatial cognitive function of the rats, in vivo electrophysiological technology was used to detect the long-term potential of the rats, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the concentrations of inflammatory factor tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the hippocampus.The density of dendritic spines of hippocampal neurons was observed by Golgi staining, and the synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons, especially the vesicle density, was observed by transmission electron microscopy.SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Repetitive measurement ANOVA was used for the escape latency data of 7 days repeated learning training in water maze.One-way ANOVA was used for the comparison of other data among multiple groups, and Dunnett's t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:Morris water maze results showed that during 7 days of learning training, the time and group interaction for escape latency was not significant in the 4 groups of rats ( F=0.93, P>0.05), but the time main effect ( F=25.90, P<0.05) and group main effect ( F=13.20, P<0.05) were significant.Morris water maze test showed that from the 3rd to 7th day, the escape latencies in 2VO group were significantly longer than those in Con group and 2VO+ Met group(all P<0.05). The short-term memory of rats was detected after 1 day of rest.The results showed that the escape latency in 2VO group was significantly longer than that in Con group and 2VO + Met group( P<0.01). The retention time and crossing times in the platform area of 2VO rats were less than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group ( P<0.01). Electrophysiological results showed that the relative field excitatory postsynaptic potential slope of 2VO group (1.29±0.09) was significantly lower than that in Con group (2.07±0.09) and 2VO + Met group (1.69±0.08)( P<0.01). ELISA results showed that TNF-α level in hippocampal tissue of 2VO group was significantly higher than that in Con group and 2VO+ Met group; IL-1β and IL-6 levels in hippocampal tissue of 2VO group were significantly higher than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group.Density of dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons of 2VO group was significantly lower than that in Con group and 2VO+ Met group.The density and proportion of immature dendritic spines in hippocampal neurons of 2VO group were significantly higher than those in Con group and 2VO + Met group.Synaptic vesicle density of neurons in CA1 area of hippocampus in 2VO group ((230.29±19.44) vescicles/μm 2) was significantly lower than that in the Con group ((414.52±13.17) vescicles/μm 2) and 2VO+ Met group ((313.19±12.42) vescicles/μm 2). Conclusion:Metformin can reduce neuroinflammation of hippocampus with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and improve synaptic plasticity and cognitive dysfunction.It may have potential application value in the treatment of vascular cognitive dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of L-carnitine (LCAR) on cognitive dysfunction in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats.Methods:Totally 90 SD male rats (SPF class) aged 3-4 months were divided into four groups according to random number talbe: sham operated control group (SHAM group, n=15), sham operated with L-carnitine treatment group (LCAR group, n=25), 2-vessel occlusion group (2VO group, n=25), and 2-vessel occlusion with L-carnitine treatment group (2VO+ LCAR group, n=25). The chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model was established by bilateral common carotid artery ligation, and the carotid arteries from SHAM group and LCAR group were only separated without ligation.L-carnitine was administered intraperitoneally (300 mg·kg -1·d -1) for 30 days after surgery in the LCAR and 2VO+ LCAR groups.After 30 days of L-carnitine intervention, Morris water maze was performed to test the spatial cognitive function of the rats, the ATP level of hippocampal tissue was detected by chemiluminescence, the mitochondrial structure and synaptic structure of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy, the degree of mitochondrial damage was scored, the vesicle density was counted and measured, the level of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2A or 2B(NR2A/B) and postsynaptic density 95(PSD95) in hippocampal tissue were detected by Western blot.The expression and distribution levels of transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in brain tissues were observed by immunofluorescence.SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.The escape latency data of repeated learning training in Morris water maze was conducted by repetitive measurement ANOVA, while other data were adopted by one-way ANOVA, and Dunnett's t test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:(1)Morris water maze results showed that the time and group interaction of escape latency was not significant among the 4 groups of rats ( F=1.4, P>0.05), but the time main effect and group main effect were significant( F=21.6, 15.2, both P<0.05). Morris water maze results showed that platform position learning from 3rd to 7th day, the escape latencies in 2VO group were longer than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). The results of short-term memory showed that the escape latency in 2VO group was longer than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the retention time and crossing times in the platform area of 2VO group were less than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). (2) The absolute and relative levels of ATP in hippocampus showed that the difference among the 4 groups were statistically significant ( F=14.6, 13.2, both P<0.05). ATP level of hippocampus in 2VO group was lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (both P<0.05). Electron microscopic observation of mitochondrial morphology showed that the Flameng score of mitochondrial damage in the hippocampus of rats in 2VO group (2.82±0.17) was higher than those in SHAM group (0.25±0.07) and 2VO+ LCAR group (1.76±0.09) (both P<0.05). (3) The density of synaptic vesicles in the hippocampus of rats in 2VO group ((289.09±22.41)/μm 2)was lower than those in SHAM group ((497.49±28.89)/μm 2)and 2VO+ LCAR group ((401.23±45.09)/μm 2) (both P<0.01). Western blot results showed that the relative levels of synaptic proteins NR2A/B, PSD95 and CREB in 2VO group were lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence results showed that the relative level of CREB expression in hippocampal subregions and cortex in 2VO group was lower than those in SHAM group and 2VO+ LCAR group (both P<0.01). Conclusion:L-carnitine can improve spatial learning and memory dysfunction in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which are related with promoting ATP production and protecting mitochondrial morphology, and promoting synaptic vesicle synthesis and synaptic protein expression.