Objective To investigate whether there are sex differences in inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)among the offspring of mice with IBD.Methods BALB/c female mice were randomly divided into Na?ve and DSS groups.The mice in the Na?ve group drank autoclaved water freely,and the DSS group freely drank 2％dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)for 7 days before it was replaced with autoclaved water for 10 days.A total of 3～4 cycles were applied,and the IBD female mice were paired with healthy male mice in cages.When the pups were 8 weeks old,they were divided into the Con group and IBD group.The Con group drank autoclaved water freely for 7 days,and the IBD group drank 3％DSS for 7 days.During the modeling period,disease activity index was scored by monitoring body weight,fecal consistency,and the presence of blood in stool every day.Pathological sections were taken to observe changes in goblet cells and the mucus layer of colon tissues.The concentrations of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β,IL-33,and IL-10 in the colon were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of tight-junction proteins and MUC-2 in the colon.Results Compared with female IBD mice,male IBD mice had higher DAI scores,significantly shorter colons,larger amounts of inflammatory infiltrate,more crypt abnormalities,and a higher absence of goblet cells in the colon;their relative mRNA expression of occludin mRNA was significantly reduced,levels of IL-6 and IL-33 were significantly increased,and level of IL-10 was significantly decreased.Conclusions The symptoms of colitis in the offspring of IBD mice were more severe in male than in female mice,a result that was mainly attributed to the more severely impaired intestinal epithelial barrier function in males.

Gut microbiota dysbiosis is an avenue for the promotion of atherosclerosis (AS) and this effect is mediated partly via the circulating microbial metabolites. More microbial metabolites related to AS vascular inflammation, and the mechanisms involved need to be clarified urgently. Paeonol (Pae) is an active compound isolated from Paeonia suffruticoas Andr. with anti-AS inflammation effect. However, considering the low oral bioavailability of Pae, it is worth exploring the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of the gut microbiota to alleviate AS. In this study, ApoE^-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish an AS model. AS mice were administrated with Pae (200 or 400 mg·kg^-1) by oral gavage and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was conducted. 16S rDNA sequencing was performed to investigate the composition of the gut microbiota, while metabolomics analysis was used to identify the metabolites in serum and cecal contents. The results indicated that Pae significantly improved AS by regulating gut microbiota composition and microbiota metabolic profile in AS mice. We also identified α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (HIBA) as a harmful microbial metabolite reduced by Pae. HIBA supplementation in drinking water promoted AS inflammation in AS mice. Furthermore, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) were cultured and stimulated by HIBA. We verified that HIBA stimulation increased intracellular ROS levels, thereby inducing VEC inflammation via the TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway. In sum, Pae reduces the production of the microbial metabolite HIBA, thus alleviating the ROS/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway-mediated endothelial inflammation in AS. Our study innovatively confirms the mechanism by which Pae reduces the harmful metabolites of gut microbiota to alleviate AS and proposes HIBA as a potential biomarker for AS clinical judgment.
Animals ; Mice ; Atherosclerosis/drug therapy* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Endothelial Cells ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species

Unique factors in the space environment can cause dysbiosis of astronauts' gut microbiota and its metabolites, which may exert systematic physiological effects on human body. Recent progress regarding the effect of space flight/simulated space environment (SF/SPE) on the composition of gut microbiota and its metabolites was reviewed in this paper. SF/SPE may cause the increase of invasive pathogenic bacteria and the decrease of beneficial bacteria, aggravating intestinal inflammation and increasing intestinal permeability. SF/SPE may also cause the decrease of beneficial metabolites or the increase of harmful metabolites of gut microbiota, leading to metabolism disorder in vivo, or inducing damage of other systems, thus not beneficial to the health and working efficiency of astronauts. Summarizing the effects of SF/SPE on gut microbiota may provide scientific basis for further researches in this field and the on-orbit health protection of astronauts.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology* ; Dysbiosis/microbiology* ; Bacteria/metabolism*

Objective:To retrospectively analyze clinical efficacy and safety of omalizumab in the treatment of chronic urticaria (CU) in southern Zhejiang, China.Methods:A retrospective observational study was conducted on CU patients who received omalizumab treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 1st, 2018 to August 1st, 2021. Through the outpatient follow-up visits, the disease activity, condition control, and quality of life were evaluated using the 7-day urticaria activity score (UAS7) , urticaria control test (UCT) , and dermatology life quality index (DLQI) . In addition, changes in disease condition, recurrence after withdrawal, and adverse events were assessed. Independent-sample t test was used for intergroup comparisons of normally distributed measurement data, Wilcoxon signed-rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparisons of non-normally distributed measurement data, and chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test was used for comparisons of enumeration data. Results:A total of 252 CU patients with poor response to antihistamines were included, with a baseline UCT score of 5.0 ± 2.4 points, a UAS7 score of 25.6 ± 6.2 points, and a DLQI score of 17.5 ± 4.7 points; among them, 204 (81.0%) were treated with omalizumab at an initial dose of 300 mg, and 48 (19.0%) with omalizumab at an initial dose of 150 mg. At the end points (12.0 ± 1.4 months after the start of treatment) , an overall control rate of 90.3% (224/248) was achieved after the omalizumab treatment; concretely, 137 (55.2%) patients achieved complete control (UCT = 16 points) , 87 (35.1%) achieved partial control (12 points ≤ UCT < 16 points) , and 24 (9.7%) showed no response (UCT < 12 points) , while 10 with partial response shifted to complete control after dose increase. During the treatment period, recurrence occurred in 50 patients (36.5%) , of whom 32 patients opted for retreatment with omalizumab, and then 30 (93.8%) achieved partial or complete control. Adverse events were reported in 8 patients (3.2%) , and all were mild or moderate.Conclusion:Omalizumab was effective in the real-world treatment of CU, and could improve patients′ quality of life, with a favorable safety profile.

Objective:To investigate the role of hydrogen-rich salt water in improving depression-like symptoms and its possible molecular mechanism in rats.Methods:The experiment was divided into two stages. In the first stage, 35 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group ( n=7); rats in the control group and model group were gavaged with 8 mL/kg normal saline per d, and rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group were fed with 8 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline water (containing 2, 1, and 0.5 ppm hydrogen) per d; except for the control group, the other groups were depressed with chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) for 4 weeks. In the second stage, 30 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into hydrogen water group, hydrogen water+fluoxetine group, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) inhibition group ( n=10); optimal hydrogen concentration (0.8 ppm) hydrogen-rich saline water (8 mL/kg) per d was given to rats of these 3 groups by gavage; fluoxetine (5 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the hydrogen-water+fluoxetine group, and all-transretinoic acid (10 mg/kg) by gavage was given to the Nrf2 inhibition group; CUMS was given for 4 weeks in these 3 groups. Rats were weighed at fixed times at each weekend. Four weeks after intervention, the total distance and average speed of rats in each group were determined by open field test. After open field test, blood was collected from the orbital veins from all rats; serum superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were determined by ELISA. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Nrf2, and phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2) in the hippocampal CA3 region were detected by Western blotting. Results:(1) In the first stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the model group, the body weight of the rats in the high-dose group, medium-dose group, and low-dose group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the model group, the medium-dose group, and low-dose group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, significantly increased BDNF and HO-1 expressions and decreased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). (2) In the second stage, after 3 and 4 weeks of intervention, as compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the body weight of the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group increased significantly ( P<0.05). As compared with the Nrf2 inhibition group, the hydrogen water group and hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased total distance and average speed, significantly increased serum SOD content, significantly decreased serum MDA content, statistically increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus, and the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased Nrf2 and p-Nrf2 expressions in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). As compared with the hydrogen water group, the hydrogen water+fluoxetine group had significantly increased BNDF and HO-1 expressions and increased p-Nrf2 expression in the CA3 region of the hippocampus ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hydrogen-rich salt water can increase the serum SOD and reduce the serum MDA, increase the BDNF and HO-1 protein expressions in the hippocampal areas of depressed rats, thereby improving the depression-like symptoms; the synergistic effect of hydrogen-rich saline water and fluoxetine on anti-depression may be related to antioxidant effect of Nrf2 signaling.

Objective To investigate the effect of Kenpaullone on memory dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) model rats and its possible mechanism.Methods Twenty healthy male SD rats were divided into control group,model group,low dose group and high-dose group by random number table method (n=5).The rats in the control group did not receive any treatment;2 μL 0.5 mol/L wortmannin was injected into the hippocampal area of rats in the later three groups via stereotaxic method;The rats in the high-dose and low-dose groups were further injected with 5 μL 1 mmol/L and 5 μL 0.5 mmol/L Kenpaullone 24 h after wortmannin injection.Three weeks after Kenpaullone injection,the memory functions of rats in each group were measured by water maze.The expressions of cyclin-dependent kinase-5 (CDK5)/p25,glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the hippocampal CA3 regions were determined by immunohistochemistry.Synapsin Ⅰ expression was detected by Western blotting.Results (1) In the water maze experiment:as compared with those in the model group,the incubation periods of rats in the high-dose and low-dose groups were significantly shortened (P＜0.05);as compared with those in the model group and the low-dose group,the times of crossing the platform and the retention time in the high-dose group were significantly increased (P＜0.05).(2) In immunohistochemical staining,as compared with the model group,the high-dose group had significantly decreased CDK5,GSK-3β,and p-tau expressions (P＜0.05).(3) Western blotting indicated that as compared with that in the model group,synapasin Ⅰ expression was significantly increased in the high-dose group (P＜0.05).Conclusion Kenpaullone can decrease the GSK-3β,CDK5/p25 and p-tau protein expressions and increase synapsin Ⅰ protein expression in the hippocampus CA3 region,and improve cognitive dysfunction of the rats.

Objective To explore the effects of two different methods on the blood glucose variability (BGV) of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who had performed the surgery.Methods A total of 100 patients with TBI after the surgery, who were admitted at intensive care unit ( ICU) from June 2013 to July 2014, were randomly assigned to the observation group ( n=50) and the control group ( n=50) . Patients in the control group received the routine treatment to adjust the BVG. Patients in the observation group received the modified Leuven′s adjustment processes. Blood glucose was continuously monitored in 5 days and all the data include mean blood glucose, incidence of hypoglycemia (level of blood glucose≤3.2 mmol/L), blood glucose standard deviation (SD), mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE) and glucose lability index (GLI) were performed statistical analysis. Results Mean blood glucose was stable in 5 days after operation in two groups (P>0.05). The blood glucose SD, MAGE and GLI in the observation group among the first 2 days [1st day:(4.7±1.2), (0.86±0.41), (255.9±213.7);2nd day:(4.0±1.7), (0.63±0.38), (202.7±163.5)] was higher than the control group [1st day:(1.1±0.68), (0.51±0.25), (112.7±92.8); 2nd day: (1.2±0.44), (0.41±0.17), (93.1±72.7)], and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In the last 3 days, these data between two groups all fallen and the difference was insignificant ( P>0. 05 ) . The incidence of hypoglycemia in the observation group was lower than that of the control group in the 1st day ( P<0.05) . In the last 4 days, the data in two groups fell (P>0.05).Conclusions The modified Leuven′s adjustment processes has characteristics of early adjustment, accessible and operate simply. It is better than the routine adjustment processes in the BGV control at the early stage.

Objective To determine the pharmacokinetic parameters of P-methoxybenzyl alcohol from Gastrodiae Rhizoma in plasma of rats by HPLC. Methods Gavage and intravenous injection were employed for administration. HPLC was used to determine the concentrations of P-methoxybenzyl alcohol from Gastrodiae Rhizoma in plasma of rats in different time points. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed by DAS3.0. Results The linear range of P-methoxybenzyl alcohol in plasma was 0.63-321.17 μg/mL, r 2=0.994 5. Intra-day accuracy, inter-day accuracy, absolute recovery and stability were in specified range. Conclusion The method is simple and accurate for the determination of the pharmacokinetic parameters of P-methoxybenzyl alcohol from Gastrodiae Rhizoma in plasma of rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the transgenerational effects of a hypothala mic-pituitary-ad-renal (HPA)axis -associated neuroendocrine metabolic progra mming alteration fro m F1 to adult second generation (F2)with prenatal ethanol ingestion.METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats were ad ministered with ethanol (4 mg·kg -1·d -1 )fro m gestational day 1 1 until delivery.F1 rats were fed a high-fat diet fro m postnatal week 4 (PW4)and were cross-mated in PW 16 -20.F2 rats were fed a standard diet fro m PW4 and rectal te mperature was measured in PW20,oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)was con-ducted in PW21 ,blood sa mples and hypothala mus were collected in PW24 to investigate seru m lipids and HPA axis activity.RESULTS Co mparing to the F2 control group ,rectal te mperature in F2 ethanol group were higher (P<0.01 ),sugar tolerance in F2 male group was i mpaired (P<0.05),seru m corti-costerone and hypothala mus arginine vasopressin (AVP) mRNA were increased (P <0.05);seru m insulin were decreased (P<0.05)and male rats showed i mpaired glucose tolerance (P<0.05);seru m high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C)decrease (P <0.05)and total cholesterol (TCH)/HDL-C and low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C)/HDL-C ratios were markedly increased (P <0.05,P <0.01 ).CONCLUSION Prenatal ethanol exposure induced metabolic syndro me has transgenerational effects,which may originate fro m the intrauterine progra mming of altered HPA axis-associated neuroen-docrine metabolis m.

The idea of establishing Shanghai Academy of Medical Sciences was brought forward　in the background of great external changes.It was to meet the demand for resolving all kinds of　conflicts about researches arised from the long time operation of Medical Institutes in Shanghai.This　article mainly discusses about the necessity and plans for establishing Shanghai Academy of Medical　Sciences.