1.Effect of Qingxin Jieyu Granules on Artery Thrombosis and Akt/NF-κB Signaling Pathway in EA.hy926 Cells Exposed to TNF-α
Chenchen HE ; Chenyi WEI ; Zhenghao LYU ; Qiaoyan CAI ; Zhuye GAO ; Ling ZHANG ; Jianfeng CHU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(3):89-97
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Qingxin Jieyu granules (QXJYG) on FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombosis in rats and on the expression of thrombosis-related proteins tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as well as the protein kinase B (Akt)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in EA.hy926 cells exposed to tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), thus preliminarily exploring the mechanism of QXJYG in inhibiting thrombosis. MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomized into normal control, model, positive control (aspirin, 9 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium-, and high-dose (0.99, 1.98, 3.96 g·kg-1, respectively) QXJYG groups (n=6). The rats in the drug treatment groups were administrated with corresponding drugs, and those in the normal control group and model group were given an equal volume of distilled water. After 14 consecutive days of prophylactic gavage, the rat model of common carotid artery thrombosis was established with 45% FeCl3 solution, and the blood vessels were collected and the wet weight of thrombus was weighed by an electronic balance (precision of 1/10 000). The thrombosis in the common carotid artery of each group of rats was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1), tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An endothelial cell injury model was established by treating EA.hy926 human umbilical vein endothelial cells with TNF-α. The cell counting kit-8 method was used to screen the intervention concentrations of QXJYG. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of TF, TFPI, Akt, p-Akt, NF-κB p65, and p-NF-κB p65 in each group of cells. ResultsThe animal experiment showed that compared with the normal control group, the model group showed an increase in carotid artery thrombus weight (P<0.05), with unclear vascular structure and extensive thrombosis in the lumen. In addition, the plasma levels of vWF, PECAM-1, and PAI-1 were elevated, while the t-PA level became lowered (P<0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group, the aspirin and QXJYG groups showed reductions in the weight of FeCl3-induced carotid artery thrombi (P<0.05) and thrombosis in the lumen, declines in plasma levels of PECAM-1 and PAI-1, and an elevation in the t-PA level (P<0.05). Moreover, the QXJYG groups showed reductions in the plasma level of vWF (P<0.05), which, however, had no significant difference between the aspirin group and the model group. The cell experiments indicated that 31.25, 62.5, 125, 250, 500 mg·L-1 QXJYG had no effect on the viability of EA.hy926 cells. Therefore, 250, 500 mg·L-1 QXJYG were selected as the intervention concentrations for subsequent experiments. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the TNF-α stimulation downregulated the expression of TFPI (P<0.05), upregulated the expression of TF, and increased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05) in EA.hy926 cells. Compared with the model group, the intervention with QXJYG upregulated the expression of TFPI (P<0.05), inhibited the expression of TF, and decreased the ratios of p-Akt/Akt and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 (P<0.05). ConclusionQXJYG has the effect of inhibiting thrombosis and regulating the expression of TF and TFPI in endothelial cells exposed to TNF-α by suppressing the abnormal activation of the Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.
2.GRK2 activates TRAF2-NF-κB signalling to promote hyperproliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis.
Chenchen HAN ; Liping JIANG ; Weikang WANG ; Shujun ZUO ; Jintao GU ; Luying CHEN ; Zhuo CHEN ; Jiajie KUAI ; Xuezhi YANG ; Liang XU ; Yang MA ; Wei WEI
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(4):1956-1973
G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) participates in the phosphorylation and desensitization of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), impacting various biological processes such as inflammation and cell proliferation. Dysregulated expression and activity of GRK2 have been reported in multiple cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether and how GRK2 regulates synovial hyperplasia and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) proliferation is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the regulation of GRK2 and its biological function in RA. We found that GRK2 transmembrane activity was increased in FLSs of RA patients and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. Additionally, we noted a positive correlation between high GRK2 expression on the cell membrane and serological markers associated with RA and CIA. Immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry and pull-down analyses revealed tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) as a novel substrate of GRK2. Furthermore, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking assays determined that the C-terminus of GRK2 binds to the C-terminus of TRAF2 at the Gln340 residue. GRK2 knockdown and the GRK2 inhibitor CP-25 attenuated synovial hyperplasia and FLS proliferation in CIA both in vitro and in vivo by decreasing GRK2 membrane expression and activity. Mechanistically, increased GRK2 transmembrane activity contributed to the recruitment of TRAF2 on the cell membrane, promoting GRK2-TRAF2 interactions that facilitate the recruitment of the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM47 to TRAF2. This enhanced TRAF2 Lys63 polyubiquitylation and induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, leading to synovial hyperplasia and abnormal proliferation of FLSs. Our study provides a mechanistic and preclinical rationale for further evaluation of GRK2 as a therapeutic target for RA.
3.Expert consensus on the prevention and treatment of enamel demineralization in orthodontic treatment.
Lunguo XIA ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Peng MEI ; Zuolin JIN ; Hong HE ; Lin WANG ; Yuxing BAI ; Lili CHEN ; Weiran LI ; Jun WANG ; Min HU ; Jinlin SONG ; Yang CAO ; Yuehua LIU ; Benxiang HOU ; Xi WEI ; Lina NIU ; Haixia LU ; Wensheng MA ; Peijun WANG ; Guirong ZHANG ; Jie GUO ; Zhihua LI ; Haiyan LU ; Liling REN ; Linyu XU ; Xiuping WU ; Yanqin LU ; Jiangtian HU ; Lin YUE ; Xu ZHANG ; Bing FANG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):13-13
Enamel demineralization, the formation of white spot lesions, is a common issue in clinical orthodontic treatment. The appearance of white spot lesions not only affects the texture and health of dental hard tissues but also impacts the health and aesthetics of teeth after orthodontic treatment. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of white spot lesions that occur throughout the orthodontic treatment process involve multiple dental specialties. This expert consensus will focus on providing guiding opinions on the management and prevention of white spot lesions during orthodontic treatment, advocating for proactive prevention, early detection, timely treatment, scientific follow-up, and multidisciplinary management of white spot lesions throughout the orthodontic process, thereby maintaining the dental health of patients during orthodontic treatment.
Humans
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Consensus
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Dental Caries/etiology*
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Dental Enamel/pathology*
;
Tooth Demineralization/etiology*
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Tooth Remineralization
4.Expert consensus on the treatment of oral diseases in pregnant women and infants.
Jun ZHANG ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Liwei ZHENG ; Jun WANG ; Bin XIA ; Wei ZHAO ; Xi WEI ; Zhengwei HUANG ; Xu CHEN ; Shaohua GE ; Fuhua YAN ; Jian ZHOU ; Kun XUAN ; Li-An WU ; Zhengguo CAO ; Guohua YUAN ; Jin ZHAO ; Zhu CHEN ; Lei ZHANG ; Yong YOU ; Jing ZOU ; Weihua GUO
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):62-62
With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans
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Pregnancy
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Female
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Infant
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Consensus
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Mouth Diseases/therapy*
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Pregnancy Complications/therapy*
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Oral Health
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Infant, Newborn
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Delphi Technique
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Oral Hygiene
5.Significance and successful construction of stable transfection of MH7A cells with lower TRAF2 expression using lentiviral vector
Luying CHEN ; Liping JIANG ; Weikang WANG ; Shujun ZUO ; Jiajie KUAI ; Yang MA ; Chenchen HAN ; Wei WEI
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2024;59(2):193-199
Objective To construct a stable synovial cell line MH7A from rheumatoid arthritis(RA)patients using lentiviral vectors that interfere with the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2(TRAF2),and to study the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signaling in MH7A abnormal proliferation.Methods Based on the design principles of human TRAF2 gene sequence and shRNA sequence,three pairs of TRAF2 shRNA interference se-quences were designed and synthesized.The primers were annealed by PCR,and a linear vector was obtained by double enzyme digestion PLKO.1-puro.The linearized vector was connected to the annealed primers through Solu-tion I,and the connected products were introduced into receptive cells.The plates were coated,and positive colo-nies were selected for sequencing.Three different recombinant plasmids of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus were constructed,and lentivirus packaging plasmids was used to package logarithmic growth phase HEK 293T cells.Vi-rus solution was collected to infect MH7A cells.At the same time,puromycin was used to screen MH7A stable transgenic strains with low TRAF2 expression.CCK-8 method,Western blot,and qPCR were used to detect the proliferation function of MH7A induced by TNF-α and low expression of TRAF2,as well as downstream signal TRAF2,P65 protein expression and mRNA levels.Results PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1),PLKO.1-TRAF2-shR-NA(2),and PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(3)lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were successfully constructed.The three TRAF2-shRNA lentivirus vector plasmids and control group lentivirus vector plasmids PLKO.1-puro were respectively introduced into the lentivirus packaging plasmid of HEK 293T to obtain virus solution.After infecting MH7A cells with the virus solution,they were treated with puromycin(2.00 μ G/mL)screening and obtaining MH7A stable transgenic plants after 2 days.Through qPCR and Western blot results,it was found that the expression of TRAF2 mRNA and protein in PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A stably transfected cells was significantly reduced compared to the negative control group.The results of CCK-8 and Western blot showed that after knocking down TRAF2 in MH7A,the proliferation of MH7A cells with low TRAF2 expression induced by TNF-α and the phosphorylation level of P65 were significantly reduced.Conclusion A sta-ble transgenic strain of PLKO.1-TRAF2-shRNA(1)MH7A cells was successfully constructed to investigate the role of TNF-α-TRAF2 signal activation in mediating abnormal proliferation of RA synovial cells.
6.Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Chemical Constituents in Liu Junzitang by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and UPLC
Qiyao JIANG ; Chenchen LIU ; Huiling CHEN ; Zhifeng HUANG ; Wei ZHAO ; Ying LIANG ; Huafeng PAN ; Yue ZHUO
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):169-178
ObjectiveTo establish a qualitative and quantitative analysis method for chemical constituents in Liu Junzitang(LJZT), and to clarify its material basis. MethodThe chemical constituents in LJZT were analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and the resulting compounds were identified by using databases, such as MassBank, PubChem, ChemSpider, Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analytical Platform(TCMSP), and by combining with relevant literature. UPLC was used to establish a quantitative method for analysis of 9 compounds in LJZT, including liquiritin, hesperidin, lobetyolin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, nobiletin, tangeretin, atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ. ResultBy combining the relevant literature, database and MS information, a total of 79 compounds were identified from LJZT, including 31 flavonoids, 15 terpenoids, 14 nitrogen-containing compounds, 6 phenylpropanoids, 6 organic acids and 7 other compounds. The established quantitative analytical method for the nine representative components showed good linearity within their respective linear ranges, and the precision, stability, reproducibility and recovery were in accordance with the requirements. The quantitative results showed that the contents of liquiritin, hesperidin, lobetyolin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, nobiletin, tangeretin, atractylenolide Ⅱ and Ⅰ in LJZT were 0.376 5, 2.602 1, 0.082 6, 0.128 1, 1.778 6, 0.015 7, 0.006 7, 0.030 4, 0.003 2 mg·g-1, respectively. ConclusionThe established method can quickly, sensitively and accurately analyze the chemical constituents in LJZT, clarify that the material basis of LJZT is mainly flavonoids, terpenoids and nitrogen-containing compounds, and simultaneously determine the contents of the 9 components, which can lay a foundation for the research on quality control, mechanism and clinical application of LJZT.
7.Tumor Promoting Function of DUSP10in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Is Associated With Tumor-Promoting Cytokines
Xing WEI ; Chin Wen PNG ; Madhushanee WEERASOORIYA ; Heng LI ; Chenchen ZHU ; Guiping CHEN ; Chuan XU ; Yongliang ZHANG ; Xiaohong XU
Immune Network 2023;23(4):e34-
Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) which contributes more than 80% to totally lung cancer cases, remains the leading cause of cancer death and the 5-year survival is less than 20%. Continuous understanding on the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this disease and identification of biomarkers for therapeutic application and response to treatment will help to improve patient survival. Here we found that a molecule known as DUSP10 (also known as MAPK phosphatase 5) is oncogenic in NSCLC.Overexpression of DUSP10 in NSCLC cells resulted in reduced activation of ERK and JNK, but increased activation of p38, which was associated with increased cellular growth and migration. When inoculated in immunodeficient mice, the DUSP10-overexpression NSCLC cells formed larger tumors compared to control cells. The increased growth of DUSP10-overexpression NSCLC cells was associated with increased expression of tumor-promoting cytokines including IL-6 and TGFβ. Importantly, higher DUSP10 expression was associated with poorer prognosis of NSCLC patients. Therefore, DUSP10 could severe as a biomarker for NSCLC prognosis and could be a target for development of therapeutic method for lung cancer treatment.
8.The study of Sirt1 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of inflammatory PDLSCs
Xiangwei Kong ; Wei Yin ; Chenchen Wang ; Lin Zhang ; Yicheng Cheng
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2023;58(5):876-880
Objective:
To study the positive effect and mechanism of histone deacetylase Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) on the osteogenic capacity of inflammatory PDLSCs.
Methods:
PDLSCs were isolated and cultured from the healthy individuals and periodontitis patients , the expression of Sirt1 in two types of PDLSCs was observed;osteogenic induction of inflammatory PDLSCs was performed , concurrently Sirt1 agonist resveratrol was used to up⁃regulate the expression of Sirt1 , then the osteogenic differentiation was observed , the expressions of Runx2 , acetylated NF⁃κB , acetylated FoxO1 and FoxO1 were assessed by Western blot.
Results :
The protein expression of Sirt1 was suppressed in in flamed PDLSCs( P < 0. 01) ;resveratrol could up⁃regulate the expression of Sirt1 in inflamed PDLSCs;compared with the osteogenic induction group , the osteogenesis + resveratrol group increased the expression of BSP ( t =14. 045 ,P < 0. 01) , Runx2( t = 3. 349 ,P < 0. 01) , OCN( t = 7. 218 ,P < 0. 01) and Osx ( t = 4. 544 ,P < 0. 01) mRNA in inflamed PDLSCs , and enhanced ALP staining(P < 0. 01) ;expression of FoxO1( t = 8. 737 , P < 0. 01) and Runx2( t = 6. 152 , P < 0. 01) increased after osteogenesis of inflamed PDLSCs ; in the osteogenesis + resveratrol
group , the expression of Sirt1 was up⁃regulated , and the expression of FoxO1( t = 5. 912 ,P < 0. 01) and Runx2( t =6. 277 ,P < 0. 01) further increased compared with the osteogenic induction group ,while the expression of acetylated NF⁃κB(F = 184. 033 ,P < 0. 01) and acetylated FoxO1(F = 301. 454 , P < 0. 01) was significantly lower than that of control group and osteogenic induction group.
Conclusion
The deacetylase Sirt1 could promote the osteogenic differentiation of inflammatory PDLSCs through deacetylating NF⁃κB and FoxO1 .
9.Optimization, reliability and validity test of Manchester needs tool for injured children
Yanan ZHU ; Chenchen HOU ; Zhimei LIU ; Shujuan WANG ; Fujuan CHEN ; Lanling WEI ; Huihui XU
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2023;39(10):933-939
Objective:To optimize the Manchester needs tool for injured children (MANTIC) scale , and evaluate its reliability and validity among injured children. Methods:The MANTIC scale was optimized through Delphi expert consultation and pre-tests. From March 2023 to June 2023 , a total of 317 injured children admitted in 7 level A tertiary hospitals in Zhejiang and Shandong provinces and their families were surveyed with general data, optimized MANTIC scale, and EuroQol 5-dimension health questionnaire for youth (EQ-5D-Y). Item analysis was conducted on the data of the 317 patients collected with optimized MANTIC scale through the test for homogeneity and value-based decision-making method and the content validity test of the scale was evaluated with item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and scale-level content validity index (S-CVI). It was evaluated with KMO test values and Bartlett′s test of sphericity to determine whether the scale was suitable for exploratory factors. The number of common factors was determined based on the K1 criterion and scree plot to further obtain the structural validity of the scale of the item load value. The correlation validity of the scale was evaluated with the correlation coefficient of the optimized MANTIC scale and EQ-5D-Y. The reliability of the scale was tested with Cronbach alpha coefficient and Guttman split-half reliability coefficient. Results:A total of 332 questionnaires were distributed, among which 317 valid ones were collected, with a response rate of 95.6%. The test of homogeneity in the item analysis showed that the correlation coefficient between each item and the total score of the scale was 0.40-0.80. The results of the value-based decision-making method showed that the critical ratio of high-and low-scored groups was 6.08-28.01. The quality of all the items met the retention requirements so that the reliability and validity tests could be continued. Validity test found that I-CVI was 0.83-1.00, consistent S-CVI was 0.83, and mean S-CVI was 0.95. In structural validity analysis, the KMO value was 0.96, and the Chi-square value of Bartlett′s test of sphericity was 10755.76 ( P<0.01). A total of 9 common factors were extracted with the K1 criterion (eigen value>1), and the scree plot indicated 9 common factors with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 73.46%. Factor extraction and rotation showed that the load value of each item of the scale ranged from 0.589 to 0.874. The correlation coefficient of the optimized MANTIC scale and EQ-5D-Y was r= 0.55 ( P<0.01).Reliability test showed that the Cronbach alpha coefficient of the total scale and all dimensions was 0.96 and 0.77-0.98, and the Guttman split-half reliability coefficient was 0.76 and 0.73-0.98. Conclusion:The optimized MANTIC scale can attain good reliability, validity, consistency and stability, and can reflect the concept to be expressed and the content to be evaluated, indicating that it can be used to evaluate the injury rehabilitation needs of injured children and their families throughout the entire treatment process.
10.Effects of homocysteine on cerebral perfusion and cognitive function in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease
Mingxu LI ; Chaojuan HUANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Xia ZHOU ; Jiabin YIN ; Wenhao ZHU ; Chenchen LI ; Zhongwu SUN
Chinese Journal of Neurology 2023;56(11):1244-1253
Objective:To investigate the effect of homocysteine (Hcy) on cerebral perfusion and cognitive function in patients with arteriosclerotic cerebral small vessel disease (aCSVD).Methods:A total of 117 patients with aCSVD who visited the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2020 to September 2022 were enrolled and divided into the aCSVD cognitive impairment group (aCSVD-CI, n=57) and aCSVD non-cognitive impairment group (aCSVD-NCI, n=60) according to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score. Serum Hcy measurement, cognitive function assessment, and three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling perfusion imaging scan were performed in all patients, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore risk factors for cognitive impairment in patients with aCSVD. The cerebral blood flow and perfusion differential brain regions of the whole brain, grey matter, and white matter were compared between the two groups. Partial correlation analyses were performed between the serum Hcy, overall cognitive function scores and cerebral blood flow in grey matter, as well as between the cerebral blood flow in the perfusion differential brain area and cognitive function scores. The mediating effect model was used to analyze the role of grey matter blood flow in the relationship between serum Hcy and overall cognition. Results:The serum Hcy level in the CSVD-CI group was higher than that in the CSVD-NCI group [16.38(14.02, 18.58) μmol/L vs 14.40 (11.93, 15.73) μmol/L, Z=-3.81, P<0.001]. In terms of cerebral perfusion, compared with the aCSVD-NCI group, the aCSVD-CI group had significantly lower cerebral blood flow in grey matter ( Z=-3.22, P=0.001), left middle frontal gyrus ( t=-4.91, P<0.05), right middle frontal gyrus ( t=-5.14, P<0.05), and right orbital medial frontal lobe ( t=-4.38, P<0.05). In contrast, the left hippocampus ( t=4.58, P<0.05) had increased cerebral blood flow. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that serum Hcy level was independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in aCSVD after controlling for multiple risk factors. Partial correlation analysis showed that left middle frontal gyrus blood flow ( r=-0.39, P=0.006), right middle frontal gyrus blood flow ( r=-0.44, P=0.002), and right orbital medial frontal lobe cerebral blood flow ( r=-0.43, P=0.002) were negatively correlated with the Stroop Color Word Test-C results. Left hippocampal cerebral blood flow was negatively correlated with Auditory Word Learning Test-long-delayed recall ( r=-0.43, P=0.002). Further mediation analysis showed that the effect of Hcy on cognitive function was partly mediated by grey matter cerebral blood flow (indirect effect=-0.11, P<0.001). Conclusion:Hcy is an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment in aCSVD, and part of the effect of elevated Hcy on cognitive impairment in aCSVD may be mediated by decreased gray matter cerebral perfusion.


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