1.Exploring Biological Characteristics of Rat Model of Atrial Fibrillation with Phlegm-heat and Blood Stasis Pattern Based on Metabolomics
Ailin HOU ; Yuxuan LIU ; Wenxi YU ; Xing JI ; Chan WU ; Dazhuo SHI ; Ying ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(5):245-255
ObjectiveTo establish an animal model of atrial fibrillation(AF) that accurately reflects the phlegm-heat and blood stasis(TRYZ) pathogenesis in traditional Chinese medicine. MethodsForty SPF-grade SD rats were randomly assigned using a random number table to the following groups:the control group, the TRYZ+AF group,the AF group and the TRYZ group, with ten rats in each group. The TRYZ+AF and TRYZ groups underwent a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide(LPS) injection to simulate the pathological alterations of TRYZ syndrome. Groups TRYZ+AF and AF were induced with acetylcholine-calcium chloride(Ach-CaCl2) via caudal vein injection to induce AF. The control group received no intervention and was maintained under normal conditions. The modeling period lasted 3 weeks. Electrocardiography was used to assess AF episodes and duration, echocardiography evaluated left atrial dimensions and cardiac function, fully automated biochemical analyzer measured the levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), hemoreometer analyzed the whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and whole blood reduced viscosity, a coagulation analyzer assessed prothrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time(TT), and fibrinogen(FIB), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine the levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor(TNF)-α, matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), galectin-3(Gal-3), Collagen Ⅰ, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson's trichrome staining were used to analyze pathological changes in atrial myocardium, Western blot was employed to detect MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA protein expression in myocardial tissue, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) evaluated fibrous factor gene expression levels. Changes in the TRYZ syndrome were assessed via body weight, tongue color[red(R), green(G), and blue(B)], and rectal temperature. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was employed to detect differential metabolites between the control group and the TRYZ+AF group. ResultsFollowing three weeks of sustained modeling, compared with the control group, rats in the TRYZ+AF and the TRYZ groups exhibited reduced body weight, dry faeces, elevated rectal temperature, dark red tongue, decreased RGB values on the tongue surface, and markedly elevated TC and LDL-C levels(P<0.05, P<0.01). The TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups exhibited significantly decreased TT, APTT and PT, along with markedly elevated whole blood viscosity and FIB(P<0.05, P<0.01). Rats in the TRYZ+AF and AF groups exhibited AF rhythm, markedly decreased heart rate, prolonged RR intervals, enlarged left atrium, and significantly reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction(P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum levels of CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, MMP-9, Gal-3, Collagen Ⅰ, and α-SMA were elevated in rats from the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ, and AF groups compared to the control group, with the most pronounced increase observed in the TRYZ+AF group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Histopathology revealed that the collagen fiber deposition in the atrial of rats in the TRYZ+AF, TRYZ and AF groups was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05, P<0.01). Western blot and Real-time PCR results further demonstrated that the protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-9, Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA in the myocardial tissue of the TRYZ+AF group were higher than those in the other three groups(P<0.05, P<0.01). Metabolomic analysis revealed 173 differentially expressed metabolites in the TRYZ+AF group and the control group, primarily enriched in pathways such as glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. ConclusionThis study successfully establishes a rat model of AF integrated with the TRYZ syndrome, demonstrating the pathological process where the interactions of phlegm, heat and stasis jointly trigger tremor, this provides a reliable experimental tool for in-depth research into the biological basis of this disease syndrome.
2.Relationship between physical activity and mental health in children with autism spectrum disorder: the mediating role of social response
Guanting DUAN ; Xue XIAO ; Huisheng HOU ; Yunqiao JIANG ; Yuge LIU ; Wenxia SHI
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2025;31(2):150-157
ObjectiveTo evaluate the levels of physical exercise, mental health and social response in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and explore the mediating effect of social response on physical exercise and mental health. MethodsFrom September, 2019 to April, 2024, 211 children with ASD from three special education schools in Haidian District and Shijingshan District of Beijing were selected. They were assessed with general data questionnaire, Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), Chinese version of Psycho-Educational Profile (C-PEP) and Social Response Scale-Short Form (SRS-SF). The correlation among physical exercise, mental health and social response was analyzed. The mediating effect of social response on physical exercise and mental health was explored. ResultsThe average physical exercise level was (58.72±3.34), the average mental health level was (14.85±1.67), and the average social response level was (24.98±3.79). Physical exercise was positively correlated with mental health (r = 0.546, P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with social response (r = -0.298, P < 0.05). Mental health was negatively correlated with social response (r = -0.397, P < 0.05). Average monthly family income, parental relationship, repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, physical exercise, social response were the influencing factors of mental health (P < 0.05). Social response was intermediary between physical exercise and mental health, accounting for 14.56%. ConclusionThe mental health level of children with ASD is poor, and there are many influencing factors. Physical exercise can directly affect the mental health of children with ASD, and can also play an indirect role through social response.
3.Mechanism of Herbal Cake-separated Moxibustion in Improving Neuroimmune Inflammation in Rats with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Interfering TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Chuntao ZHAI ; Yawei HOU ; Linjuan SHI ; Yixiao WANG ; Wei LI ; Yuefeng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(4):140-149
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of herbal cake-separated moxibustion using the classical formula Xiaoyaosan in alleviating neuroimmune inflammatory responses in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) rats, based on the regulation of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into five groups: Normal group, model group, sham herbal cake moxibustion group, Chinese medicine intragastric administration group, and herbal cake-separated moxibustion group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, all other groups underwent a 21-day modeling process, followed by behavioral testing. The herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham herbal cake moxibustion groups received interventions at the Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Qimen (LR14) acupoints. The Chinese medicine intragastric administration group was treated with a Xiaoyaosan suspension via gavage. Behavioral tests were conducted after 10 days of continuous intervention. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Morphological changes in the hippocampus were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB in the hippocampus. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the relative expression levels of TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, and p65 proteins in the hippocampus. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant decrease in upright times during the open field test (P<0.01), as well as significant reductions in total movement distance, resting time, and center region duration (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time increased (P<0.01), and struggle times decreased (P<0.01). Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as hippocampal NF-κB levels and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression, were significantly elevated (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, the total movement distance and upright times in the open field test were significantly increased in all treatment groups (P<0.01), while resting time and center region duration were notably prolonged (P<0.05, P<0.01). Immobility time in the tail suspension test was significantly shortened (P<0.01), and struggle times significantly increased (P<0.05). Serum and hippocampal levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, hippocampal NF-κB levels, and TLR4 and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham herbal cake moxibustion group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group showed a significant extension in center region duration during the open field test (P<0.05) and a significant increase in upright times (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time was reduced (P<0.01), and struggle times increased (P<0.01). Serum TNF-α levels in the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group were significantly reduced (P<0.01), while serum IL-6 levels, as well as hippocampal levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression, were significantly decreased in both the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group and the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the Chinese medicine intragastric administration group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group exhibited significantly increased upright times in the open field test (P<0.01). In the tail suspension test, immobility time was reduced (P<0.01), and struggle times increased (P<0.01). Serum IL-1β, hippocampal TNF-α levels, and TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expression were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion effectively improves fatigue and memory function in CFS rats, regulates neuroimmune inflammatory responses, and its mechanism may be related to the modulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.
4.Correlation study on influenza epidemic in representative 5 cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River based on detection of oseltamivir metabolite in wastewater
Chen SHI ; Manlei ZHANG ; Xinxin ZHOU ; Mengyi CHEN ; Chenzhi HOU ; Bin DI
Journal of China Pharmaceutical University 2025;56(2):155-159
By selecting stable and detectable drug prototypes or metabolites in sewage samples, near real-time detection of disease conditions can be achieved. This study selected oseltamivir carboxylate, the primary metabolite of first-line antiviral oseltamivir, as a biomarker. Based on the concentration of oseltamivir carboxylate in wastewater, the consumption and usage rate of oseltamivir were calculated by reverse engineering. Quarterly sampling was conducted at 46 urban sewage treatment plants in representative 5 cities in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, from November 2022 to December 2023. The concentration range of oseltamivir acid in sewage samples is 1.270−1 279 ng/L, the daily mass load of oseltamivir per 1 000 inhabitants in the surveyed cities ranged from 9.560 to 544.7 mg/d, and the average utilization rate is 0.06‰−3.63‰. The research results indicate that in March 2023, Wuxi City experienced a spring influenza peak, while Bengbu, Tongling, Suzhou, and Changzhou City experienced a small summer influenza peak in May. In November and December 2023, Wuxi, Changzhou, and Bengbu City experienced a winter influenza peak, the results are consistent with the official statistics of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Influenza Center, which reflect the influenza epidemic situation in southern cities. The integration of this methodology with clinical diagnostic rates could provide near real-time data support for future influenza prevention and control strategies.
5.Mechanism of Mingshi Prescription in Regulating Opn4-dopamine Axis to Inhibit Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Delay Myopia Progression
Baohua LI ; Zefeng KANG ; Lulu WANG ; Xin YAN ; Jianquan WANG ; Xinyue HOU ; Bobiao NING ; Shanshan YE ; Mengyu LIU ; Yipeng SHI ; Danyu LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(18):58-67
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine (Opn4-DA) axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the retina and sclera, thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a form-deprived myopia group (FDM group), an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group (ipRGCs group), a Mingshi Prescription group (MSF group, 5.2 g·kg-1), and an ipRGCs + MSF group (5.2 g·kg-1). Except for the normal group, all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally, the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling, the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice, eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina, choroid, and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4, CHOP, and GRP78 in the retina, and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining (IF) was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction (P<0.05) and a significant increase in axial length (P<0.05). The retinal layers were thinner, the number of ganglion cells was reduced, and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length (P<0.05), more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal, choroidal, and scleral layers, lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina (P<0.05), and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera (P<0.05). Compared with the FDM group, the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length (P<0.05), with improved cellular number, arrangement, and thickness in ocular tissues, increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina (P<0.05), and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera (P<0.05). Similarly, the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group (P<0.05). ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice, thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes, softens the fascia, and restores ocular rhythm.
6.Residual Inflammatory Risk and Intracranial Atherosclerosis Plaque Vulnerability: Insights From High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Ying YU ; Rongrong CUI ; Xin HE ; Xinxin SHI ; Zhikai HOU ; Yuesong PAN ; Mingyao LI ; Jiabao YANG ; Zhongrong MIAO ; Yongjun WANG ; Rong WANG ; Xin LOU ; Long YAN ; Ning MA
Journal of Stroke 2025;27(2):207-216
Background:
and Purpose This study aimed to investigate the association between residual inflammatory risk (RIR) and vulnerable plaques using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) in symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS).
Methods:
This retrospective study included 70%–99% symptomatic ICAS patients hospitalized from January 2016 to December 2022. Patients were classified into four groups based on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): residual cholesterol inflammatory risk (RCIR, hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), RIR (hs-CRP ≥3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L), residual cholesterol risk (RCR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C ≥2.6 mmol/L), and no residual risk (NRR, hs-CRP <3 mg/L and LDL-C <2.6 mmol/L). Vulnerable plaque features on HRMRI included positive remodeling, diffuse distribution, intraplaque hemorrhage, and strong enhancement.
Results:
Among 336 included patients, 21, 60, 58, and 197 were assigned to the RCIR, RIR, RCR, and NRR groups, respectively. Patients with RCIR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.606; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.346–9.662; P=0.011) and RIR (aOR, 3.361; 95% CI, 1.774–6.368, P<0.001) had higher risks of strong enhancement than those with NRR. Additionally, patients with RCIR (aOR, 2.965; 95% CI, 1.060–8.297; P=0.038) were more likely to have intraplaque hemorrhage compared with those with NRR. In the sensitivity analysis, RCR (aOR, 2.595; 95% CI, 1.201–5.608; P=0.015) exhibited an additional correlation with an increased risk of intraplaque hemorrhage.
Conclusion
In patients with symptomatic ICAS, RIR is associated with a higher risk of intraplaque hemorrhage and strong enhancement, indicating an increased vulnerability to atherosclerotic plaques.
7.Opportunities and challenges of "remote-controlling" CAR-T cells for tumor therapy
RUAN Wenhui1 ; HOU Rui2 ; SHI Ming3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2025;32(5):453-459
[摘 要] 嵌合抗原受体基因修饰T淋巴细胞(CAR-T细胞)在血液系统恶性肿瘤的治疗中已取得了重大进展,但其体内行为的不确定性和不可控性仍然限制了其临床应用。CAR-T细胞在不恰当的地点以不可控制的强度被活化,可能导致抗肿瘤作用的下降或造成难以预测的不良反应。若能使CAR-T细胞的体内行为变得可知和可控,并在适当的地点以适宜的强度被活化,将有望显著提升抗肿瘤疗效并降低不良反应。本文系统总结了近年来“遥控”CAR-T细胞体内活性的策略。通过巧妙的设计对CAR-T细胞的活性和行为进行精细控制,发挥安全、精准、高效的抗肿瘤疗效是CAR-T细胞治疗未来的发展方向之一。
8.Impacts of sports games on prosocial behavior of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities attending regular classes
DUAN Guanting, SHANG Xiaoxia, HOU Huisheng, ZHENG Shicheng, SHI Wenxia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):177-180
Objective:
To explore impacts of sports games designed based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model (IMB) on prosocial behavior in children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) attending regular classes, so as to provide a theoretical basis for promoting the development of prosocial behavior in school age IDD children.
Methods:
From February to March 2023, 40 children with intellectual disabilities aged 8-9 who were enrolled in ordinary schools in Beijing were recruited by using WeChat parents to send messages. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (19 before intervention, 17 after intervention) and a control group (19 before intervention, 19 after intervention) by lottery method. During the study period, children in both groups received the same frequency and quality of regular physical activities. The experimental group, in addition, underwent a 13 week sports game intervention based on the IMB model, 4 times a week, each session lasting 50 minutes. The sports game intervention scheme based on IMB model was divided into two modules,including basic training and development training:low difficulty sports game intervention based on emotion recognition, and medium low difficulty and medium difficulty sports game intervention based on social training such as "prosocial". The Griffith Empathy Measure (GEM) and the Prosocial Behavior Scale for Adolescents (PBSA) were used to assess empathy ability and prosocial behavior levels of children in both groups before and after the intervention.
Results:
After intervention, the cognitive empathy dimension, emotional empathy dimension and total score of GEM in the experimental group (39.15±2.85, 38.54±1.94, 77.69±3.95) were higher than control group (32.18±4.18, 32.28± 4.28, 64.56±6.48) and before intervention (33.92±4.94, 31.30±4.61, 65.23±8.47), and the differences were statistically significant ( F =12.06, 6.99, 14.90; 8.95, 7.36, 13.22, P <0.05). After intervention, compliance with public welfare factors, trait factors and total score (31.33±1.97, 16.67±1.03, 71.83±2.93) were higher than control group (22.65±1.58, 12.59±0.71, 59.47± 2.18 ) and before intervention (22.00±1.27, 12.17±0.75, 58.00±1.67), and the differences were statistically significant ( F = 17.00 , 36.54, 12.71; 29.87, 13.09, 13.12, P <0.05).
Conclusion
Sports game intervention based on IMB model can effectively promote the development of prosocial behavior of children with IDD attending regular classes.
9.Comparison of multiple machine learning models for predicting the survival of recipients after lung transplantation
Lingzhi SHI ; Yaling LIU ; Haoji YAN ; Zengwei YU ; Senlin HOU ; Mingzhao LIU ; Hang YANG ; Bo WU ; Dong TIAN ; Jingyu CHEN
Organ Transplantation 2025;16(2):264-271
Objective To compare the performance and efficacy of prognostic models constructed by different machine learning algorithms in predicting the survival period of lung transplantation (LTx) recipients. Methods Data from 483 recipients who underwent LTx were retrospectively collected. All recipients were divided into a training set and a validation set at a ratio of 7:3. The 24 collected variables were screened based on variable importance (VIMP). Prognostic models were constructed using random survival forest (RSF) and extreme gradient boosting tree (XGBoost). The performance of the models was evaluated using the integrated area under the curve (iAUC) and time-dependent area under the curve (tAUC). Results There were no significant statistical differences in the variables between the training set and the validation set. The top 15 variables ranked by VIMP were used for modeling and the length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) was determined as the most important factor. Compared with the XGBoost model, the RSF model demonstrated better performance in predicting the survival period of recipients (iAUC 0.773 vs. 0.723). The RSF model also showed better performance in predicting the 6-month survival period (tAUC 6 months 0.884 vs. 0.809, P = 0.009) and 1-year survival period (tAUC 1 year 0.896 vs. 0.825, P = 0.013) of recipients. Based on the prediction cut-off values of the two algorithms, LTx recipients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. The survival analysis results of both models showed that the survival rate of recipients in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that in the low-risk group (P<0.001). Conclusions Compared with XGBoost, the machine learning prognostic model developed based on the RSF algorithm may preferably predict the survival period of LTx recipients.
10.Herbal Cake-separated Moxibustion Improves Cognitive Function in Rat Model of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome via PI3K/Beclin1 Signaling Pathway
Chuntao ZHAI ; Yawei HOU ; Linjuan SHI ; Yixiao WANG ; Yuefeng TIAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(13):149-158
ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of moxibustion with the classical prescription Xiaoyaosan as the herbal cake in improving cognitive function in the rat model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) by regulating autophagy via phosphatidylinosiol 3-kinase (PI3K)/autophagy key molecule yeast Atg6 homologue 1 (Beclin1) signaling pathway. MethodsFifty SPF-grade SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomly grouped as follows: control, model, sham cake-separated moxibustion, intragastric administration with Chinese herbs, and herbal cake-separated moxibustion, each with 10 rats. The other groups except the control group were subjected to modeling by exhaustive swimming and chronic restraint stress for 21 days, and the behavioral test was performed after modeling. Herbal cake-separated moxibustion and sham cake-separated moxibustion were carried out at Shenque (CV8), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36), and Qimen (LR14). The rats in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were treated with Xiaoyaosan suspension by gavage. After continuous intervention for 10 days, rat behaviors were observed and the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, blood urine nitrogen (BUN), and malondiadehyde (MDA) in the serum and hippocampal tissue of rats in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The morphological changes of the hippocampal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampal tissue were determined by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot, respectively. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed reduced crossings, shortened residence time in the target quadrant, and prolonged average escape latency on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 (P<0.01) in the Morris water maze test. In the new object recognition test, the model group showed decreased recognition index of exploration time and recognition index of exploration times (P<0.01), lowered levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and elevated levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus (P<0.01), and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 (P<0.01). After treatment, compared with the model group, each treatment group showed increased crossings, prolonged residence time in the target quadrant, and shortened average escape latency on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, the treatment elevated the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and lowered the levels of BUN and MDA in the serum and hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the sham cake-separated moxibustion group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group and the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group showed increased crossings, prolonged residence time in the target quadrant (P<0.05), elevated level of IL-4, lowered level of MDA, and up-regulated relative mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). The serum levels of MDA and BUN in the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group were significantly decreased. The average escape latency of the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group was significantly shortened on days 2 and 3 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In addition, this group showed elevated serum level of IL-4, lowered serum level of MDA, and declined BUN level in the hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the intragastric administration with Chinese herbs group, the herbal cake-separated moxibustion group presented risen serum level of IL-4 and up-regulated mRNA level of Beclin1 (P<0.05) and relative protein levels of PI3K and Beclin1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionHerbal cake-separated moxibustion can effectively alleviate fatigue and improve the memory, reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and decrease autophagy of hippocampal neurons in CFS rats by regulating the PI3K/Beclin1 signaling pathway.


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