1.The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Runner’s High
Yun-Teng WANG ; Jia-Qi LIANG ; Wan-Tang SU ; Li ZHAO ; Yan LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):358-373
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			“Runner’s high” refers to a momentary sense of pleasure that suddenly appears during running or other exercise activities, characterized by anti-anxiety, pain relief, and other symptoms. The neurobiological mechanism of “runner’s high” is unclear. This review summarizes human and animal models for studying “runner’s high”, analyzes the neurotransmitters and neural circuits involved in runner’s high, and elucidates the evidence and shortcomings of researches related to “runner’s high”. This review also provides prospects for future research. Research has found that exercise lasting more than 30 min and with an intensity exceeding 70% of the maximum heart rate can reach a “runner’s high”. Human experiments on “runner’s high” mostly use treadmill exercise intervention, and evaluate it through questionnaire surveys, measurement of plasma AEA, miRNA and other indicators. Animal experiments often use voluntary wheel running intervention, and evaluate it through behavioral experiments such as conditional place preference, light dark box experiments (anxiety), hot plate experiments (pain sensitivity), and measurement of plasma AEA and other indicators. Dopamine, endogenous opioid peptides, endogenous cannabinoids, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and other substances increase after exercise, which may be related to the “runner’s high”. However, attention should be paid to the functional differences of these substances in the central and peripheral regions, as well as in different brain regions. Moreover, current studies have not identified the targets of the neurotransmitters or neural factors mentioned above, and further in-depth researches are needed. The mesolimbic dopamine system, prefrontal cortex-nucleus accumbens projection, ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens projection, red nucleus-ventral tegmental area projection, cerebellar-ventral tegmental area projection, and brain-gut axis may be involved in the regulation of runner’s high, but there is a lack of direct evidence to prove their involvement. There are still many issues that need to be addressed in the research on the neurobiological mechanisms of “runner’s high”. (1) Most studies on “runner’s high” involve one-time exercise, and the characteristics of changes in “runner’s high” during long-term exercise still need to be explored. (2) The using of scales to evaluate subjects lead to the lacking of objective indicators. However, some potential biomarkers (such as endocannabinoids) have inconsistent characteristics of changes after one-time and long-term exercise. (3) The neurotransmitters involved in the formation of the “runner’s high” all increase in the peripheral and/or central nervous system after exercise. Attention should be paid to whether peripheral substances can enter the blood-brain barrier and the binding effects of neurotransmitters to different receptors are completely different in different brain regions. (4) Most of the current evidence show that some brain regions are activated after exercise. Is there a functional circuit mediating “runner’s high” between these brain regions? (5) Although training at a specific exercise intensity can lead to “runner’s high”, most runners have not experienced “runner’s high”. Can more scientific training methods or technological means be used to make it easier for people to experience the “runner’s high” and thus be more willing to engage in exercise? (6) The “runner’s high” and “addiction” behaviors are extremely similar, and there are evidences that exercise can reverse addictive behaviors. However, why is there still a considerable number of people in the sports population and even athletes who smoke or use addictive drugs instead of pursuing the “pleasure” brought by exercise? Solving the problems above is of great significance for enhancing the desire of exercise, improving the clinical application of neurological and psychiatric diseases through exercise, and enhancing the overall physical fitness of the population. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Role of TRPV1 in Cardiovascular Disease and the Related Progress of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research
Hongying LYU ; Mingshuang HOU ; Guanjun JIA ; Yushun KOU ; Mengyao LI ; Yongxiang LI ; Jing XU ; Qianqian CHEN ; Zhengjie TENG ; Lin YI
Chinese Journal of Modern Applied Pharmacy 2024;41(4):556-566
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1(TRPV1) channel is a non-selective ligand-gated cationic channel with multiple activation mechanisms in the transient receptor potential subfamily. In recent years, a large number of studies have found that TRPV1 plays an important role in the field of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. With the in-depth study of traditional Chinese medicine, it has been found that Chinese medicine monomers and their active components can activate or inhibit TRPV1 channels, which has certain potential in the study of cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the role of TRPV1 channel in cardiovascular diseases and the research progress of traditional Chinese medicine prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on TRPV1 channel are reviewed, in order to provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular system diseases.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Effects of Erhuang Quzhi Granules Combined with Silibinin Capsules on Fatty Liver Index,Inflammatory Factors and Autophagy-Related Gene Levels in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Ping CHEN ; Xiao-Qing GONG ; Xiao-Hong LI ; Chun-Yan YIN ; Jia-Huan TENG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(6):1422-1429
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effects of Erhuang Quzhi Granules combined with Silibinin Capsules on fatty liver index,inflammatory factors and autophagy-related gene levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).Methods A total of 126 patients with NAFLD of phlegm blended with blood stasis type were randomly divided into control group and observation group,with 63 cases in each group.The control group was treated with oral use of Silibinin Capsules,and the observation group was treated with oral use of Erhuang Quzhi Granules on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment lasted for 3 months.Before and after treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of fatty liver index,and the levels of inflammatory factors of interleukin 6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),liver function and blood lipid indicators of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),and autophagy-related genes of autophagy-related gene 7(ATG7)and myosin-like BCL2 binding protein(Beclin 1).After treatment,the clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)After 3 months of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was 90.48%(57/63),and that of the control group was 71.43%(45/63).The intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the efficacy of the observation group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P<0.01).(2)After treatment,the fatty liver index of the two groups was significantly decreased compared with that before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of fatty liver index in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.01).(3)After treatment,the serum levels of inflammatory factors of IL-6 and TNF-α in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)AAfter treatment,the serum levels of liver function indicators of ALT,AST and GGT in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the decrease of serum ALT,AST and GGT levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the serum levels of blood lipids of TG,TC and LDL-C in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the serum HDL-C level was significantly higher than that before treatment(P<0.05).The decrease of serum TG,TC and LDL-C levels and the increase of serum HDL-C level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P<0.05).(6)After treatment,the serum levels of autophagy-related genes of ATG7 and Beclin 1 in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the increase of serum ATG7 and Beclin 1 levels in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).(7)During the medication,no liver or kidney function damage or serious adverse reactions were found in the two groups.Conclusion Erhuang Quzhi Granules combined with Silibinin Capsules are effective for the treatment of NAFLD patients with phlegm blended with blood stasis type,which is helpful to relieve the symptoms of fatty liver,reduce the levels of inflammatory factors,improve liver function and blood lipid levels,and regulate the expression of autophagy-related genes.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Effects of saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint on stress response,analgesic effect and joint function recovery after total knee arthroplasty
Teng-Chen FENG ; Jia-Yi WANG ; Jie YAO ; Ji-Bo ZHAO ; Xiao-Jia SUN ; Fu-Long LI
Journal of Regional Anatomy and Operative Surgery 2024;33(6):509-513
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the effects of saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint on stress response,analgesic effect and joint function recovery of patients after total knee arthroplasty.Methods A total of 98 patients who received total knee arthroplasty in our hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected and divided into the observation group(received saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint)and the control group(received saphenous nerve block)by random number table,with 49 patients in each group.The visual analogue scale(VAS)score of resting and dynamic pain 6 hours,12 hours and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The range of knee joint motion before surgery,3 days,5 days and 7 days after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The stress indexes[cortisol(Cor),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)],and pain mediator indexs[calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP),beta-endorphins(β-EP),6-keto prostaglandin E1α(6-Keto-pGE1α),substance P(SP)]before surgery,4 hours,12 hours,24 hours,and 48 hours after surgery of patients in the two groups were compared.The occurrence of adverse reactions during treatment of patients in the two groups were recorded.Results There were statistically significant differences in the resting and dynamic VAS scores at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the range of knee joint motion at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the Cor and ACTH contents at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There were statistically significant differences in the contents of β-EP,SP,CGRP and 6-keto-PGE1α at different time points of patients in the two groups in terms of time factors,inter-group factors and interaction factors(P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Saphenous nerve combined with posterior capsular block of knee joint for total knee arthroplasty can reduce patients' stress response,enhance postoperative analgesic effect,and improve the early motor function,with high safety.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
5.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may help predict pediatric testicular torsion in chlidren with acute scrotal pain before surgery
Xianya HE ; Chen WANG ; Yongjun YANG ; Junjie CHEN ; Xuecheng WU ; Zhuo LI ; Zhe LIU ; Guangqing SONG ; Yili TENG ; Jia CHEN ; Hongwei WANG ; Huayi ZHENG ; Yuanwei LI ; Qiang LU
Journal of Modern Urology 2024;29(9):785-789
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To explore the feasibility and accuracy of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)in the prediction of testicular torsion(TT)in children with acute scrotal pain.Methods A retrospective case-control study was performed on 158 pediatric patients with ultrasound suspicion of TT who underwent surgical testicular examination during Jan.2017 and Jan.2024.The patients were divided into TT group and non-TT group.Clinical data and laboratory data at admission were analyzed.Sensitivity and specificity of NLR to TT were determined with the area under the curve(AUC)represented on the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results There were with no statistically significant differences in clinical data between the two groups(P>0.05).The NLR was significantly higher in the TT group than in the non-TT group[(4.82±2.37)vs.(2.85±0.75),P<0.05].The optimal cut-off value of TT predicted by NLR was 2.07,the AUC was 0.809(95%CI:0.709-0.909),and the sensitivity and specificity were 97.9%and 93.3%,respectively,which were significantly higher than other factors.Conclusion For suspicious ultrasound diagnosis of pediatric acute scrotal pain cases,NLR can be used to predict the possibility of TT and may help to evaluate the urgent surgical treatment in these patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Action mechanisms of Qianlie Jindan Tablets on chronic nonbcterial prostatitis in rats:An exploration based on non-targeted urine metabolomics
Teng-Fei CHEN ; Zhi-Chao JIA ; Zhuo-Zhuo SHI ; Jun-Guo MA ; Xiao-Lin LI ; Chong-Fu ZHONG
National Journal of Andrology 2024;30(6):531-539
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To explore the mechanisms of Qianlie Jindan Tablets(QLJD)acting on chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP)in rats based on non-targeted urine metabolomics.Methods:According to the body mass index,we equally randomized 30 eight-week-old male SD rats into a blank control,a CNP model control and a QLJD medication group.We established the CNP model in the latter groups and,from the 4th day of modeling,treated the rats in the blank and model control groups intragastrically with nor-mal saline and those in the QLJD medication group with QLJD suspension,qd,for 30 successive days.Then we detected the changes in the metabolites of the rats by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry,and identified the differential metabolites in different groups by multivariate statistical analysis,followed by functional annotation of the differential metabolites.Results:Eight common metabolites were identified by metabolomics analysis,of which 5 were decreased in the CNP model controls and increased in the QLJD medication group,while the other 3 increased in the former and decreased in the latter group.Creatinine and genistein were important differential metabolites,and the arginine and proline metabolic pathways and isoflavone biosynthesis pathways were the main ones for QLJD acting on CNP.Compared with the blank controls,the model controls showed up-regulated arginine and proline metabolic pathways,increased production of creatinine,down-regulated isoflavone biosynthetic pathway and decreased produc-tion of genistein.The above changes in the model controls were all reversed in the QLJD medication group.Conclusion:QLJD acts effectively on CNP in male rats by regulating L-arginine and proline metabolic pathways,as well as the isoflavone biosynthesis pathway and naringenin metabolism.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.JCAD deficiency attenuates activation of hepatic stellate cells and cholestatic fibrosis
Li XIE ; Hui CHEN ; Li ZHANG ; Yue MA ; Yuan ZHOU ; Yong-Yu YANG ; Chang LIU ; Yu-Li WANG ; Ya-Jun YAN ; Jia DING ; Xiao TENG ; Qiang YANG ; Xiu-Ping LIU ; Jian WU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2024;30(2):206-224
		                        		
		                        			 Background/Aims:
		                        			Cholestatic liver diseases including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are associated with active hepatic fibrogenesis, which ultimately progresses to cirrhosis. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the main fibrogenic effectors in response to cholangiocyte damage. JCAD regulates cell proliferation and malignant transformation in nonalcoholic steatoheaptitis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). However, its participation in cholestatic fibrosis has not been explored yet. 
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			Serial sections of liver tissue of PBC patients were stained with immunofluorescence. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in wild-type (WT), global JCAD knockout mice (JCAD-KO) and HSC-specific JCAD knockout mice (HSC-JCAD-KO), and evaluated by histopathology and biochemical tests. In situ-activated HSCs isolated from BDL mice were used to determine effects of JCAD on HSC activation. 
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			In consistence with staining of liver sections from PBC patients, immunofluorescent staining revealed that JCAD expression was identified in smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA)-positive fibroblast-like cells and was significantly up-regulated in WT mice with BDL. JCAD deficiency remarkably ameliorated BDL-induced hepatic injury and fibrosis, as documented by liver hydroxyproline content, when compared to WT mice with BDL. Histopathologically, collagen deposition was dramatically reduced in both JCAD-KO and HSC-JCAD-KO mice compared to WT mice, as visualized by Trichrome staining and semi-quantitative scores. Moreover, JCAD deprivation significantly attenuated in situ HSC activation and reduced expression of fibrotic genes after BDL. 
		                        		
		                        			Conclusions
		                        			JCAD deficiency effectively suppressed hepatic fibrosis induced by BDL in mice, and the underlying mechanisms are largely through suppressed Hippo-YAP signaling activity in HSCs. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Clinical characteristics and virus identification of 4 cases of monkeypox confirmed in Zhejiang province
Lianqing LOU ; Xiaofei LI ; Zhicheng CHEN ; Linfang CHENG ; Linwei ZHU ; Xiaodi ZHANG ; Juncai TU ; Teng WANG ; Xiangcheng JIA ; Haiyan SHI ; Hangping YAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2023;16(4):256-261
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of monkeypox patients.Methods:The clinical data and laboratory findings of 4 patients with monkeypox patients diagnosed at Yiwu Central Hospital in July 2023 were analyzed. Herpes fluid and skin tissue samples were collected, the viruses were isolation and cultured in African green monkey kidney cells (Vero) and identified with whole gene sequencing.Results:All four patients were male, aged 24-35 years. All patients had male-to-male behavior within 21 days before onset of the disease. Among them, one patient has AIDS and one patient has syphilis. Four patients presented with perineal skin lesions with itching, and 3 patients were found to have enlarged lymph nodes upon admission. Laboratory testing: lymphocyte abnormality (4.57×10 9/L) in 1 case; increased procalcitonin (0.25 ng/mL) in 1 case; elevated IL-10 levels ( 7.11 ng/L and 9.42 ng/L) in 2 cases; increased IL-6 (66 ng/L) and IL-4 (3.24 ng/L) in 1 case, respectively. One case had abnormal myocardial zymogram with a elevated lactate dehydrogenase level of 313 U/L. The monkeypox virus was isolated from lesion tissue and herpes fluid, and the whole gene sequencing identified it as the B. 1.3 subtype of the IIb evolutionary branch, exhibiting typical pathological effects on Vero cells. Conclusion:The clinical manifestations of the 4 monkeypox patients confirmed in Zhejiang province are mild, patients had a definitive history of male-to-male sexual behavior and the virus strains belong to the B. 1.3 lineage of the IIb evolutionary branch.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Autism spectrum disorder s sensory characteristics and its correlation with core phenotype
ZHAI Jinhe, LI Xiaoxue, XU Zihan, HAO Haiying, XIA Wei, FAN Lili, TENG Wanmeng, WANG Jia
Chinese Journal of School Health 2023;44(3):339-343
		                        		
		                        			Objective:
		                        			To explore the differences of sensory manifestations between ASD children and typical development children, and to clarify the characteristics of sensory abnormalities in ASD and their relationship with various clinical symptoms, so as to provide scientific basis for early identification and specific intervention.
		                        		
		                        			Methods:
		                        			A total of 265 ASD children who received rehabilitation training in autism rehabilitation institutions in Heilongjiang Province were collected as the case group, and 223 typical development children in ordinary  kindergartens and schools in Harbin were taken as the control group. Short Sensory Profile (SSP) was used to evaluate the difference of children s sensory perception level between the two groups, and Social Response Scale (SRS) and Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were used to evaluate the severity of symptoms including social disorder of autistic children. The correlation between SSP scores in ASD group and clinical scales was analyzed.
		                        		
		                        			Results:
		                        			The comparison of SSP scores between the two groups found that the median scores of all sensory dimensions in ASD group (tactile=33, taste/smell=18, motion sensitivity=13, Low response/sensation seeking=28, auditory filtering=19, low strength=22, visual/auditory=20) were lower than those of the healthy control group( Z =-2.73,-4.36,-3.17,-5.09,-11.00,-10.45,-3.43, P <0.05). The abnormal rate of multisensory score in children in ASD group was 55.1%, and that in control group was 21.2%, with significant difference( χ 2=57.15,  P <0.05). Correlation analysis showed that SSP score in ASD group was negatively correlated with all dimensions of SRS, nonverbal communication, and social function of ADI-R scale, ADOS communication and social interaction, and total scores of ABC and CARS( P < 0.05 ).
		                        		
		                        			Conclusion
		                        			Children with ASD have atypical sensory experiences, especially in auditory filtering dimension, and the level of atypical sensation is related to the severity of clinical symptoms of autism. In the future clinical diagnosis, treatment and research, it is necessary to strengthen the ability to recognize the sensory symptoms of children with ASD, so as to realize the early diagnosis and intervention.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10. Tanshinone IIA promotes reverse cholesterol transport to improve atherosclerosis
Yi-Fan ZHANG ; Min DU ; Jia-Rou WANG ; Si-Jin LI ; Xiao-Teng FENG ; Ping LIU ; Xiang-Hui HAN
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2023;39(10):1835-1839
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			 Aim To explore the effect of tanshinone II A (Tan II A) on reverse cholesterol transport in atherosclerosis model mice and RAW264. 7 cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods Thirty-two male LDLR -/- mice were randomly divided into four groups. These mice were fed with normal diet or high fat diet for 12 weeks. The control group and model group were given normal saline. Tan II A group and atorvastatin group were given Tan II A solution and atorvastatin solution for 12 weeks. RAW264. 7 cells were induced with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) 100 mg • L- 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            

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