1.Mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription Against Damage to Hippocampal Synaptic Microenvironment via Suppressing GluR2/Parkin Signal-mediated Mitophagy in Rats with Diabetes-related Depression
Jian LIU ; Lin LIU ; Xiaoyuan LIN ; Wei LI ; Yuhong WANG ; Hui YANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):104-112
ObjectiveTo reveal the mechanism of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription against damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment via suppressing glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)/Parkin signal-mediated mitophagy in rats with diabetes-related depression (DD). MethodsEighty male SD rats underwent adaptive feeding for 5 days before the study. Ten rats were randomly assigned to the normal group. The model of DD rats was established with the rest by 2-week high-fat diet + streptozotocin (STZ) tail intravenous injection + 28 days of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) combined with isolation. The rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a GluR2 blocker group (5 μg·kg-1), a GluR2 agonist group (10 μg·kg-1), a metformin + fluoxetine group (0.18 g·kg-1 metformin + 1.8 mg·kg-1 fluoxetine), and high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups (20.52 and 10.26 g·kg-1, respectively). The rats in the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group were continuously injected with CNQX and Cl-HIBO in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus once a week starting from stress modeling, respectively, while the metformin + fluoxetine group and the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups were continuously given intragastric administration for 28 d at the same time of stress modeling. Depression-like behavior was evaluated by open field and forced swimming experiments. The levels of serum insulin and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in hippocampus were detected by biochemical analysis. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in hippocampus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. The morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons were evaluated by Golgi staining. Western blot detected the expression levels of GluR2 and Parkin proteins in hippocampus. The expression levels of GluR2, Parkin, regulating synaptic membrane exocytosis protein 3 (RIMS3), and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group exhibited reduced total activity distance in the open field and increased immobility time in forced swimming (P<0.01), lowered levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.01), increased autophagosomes of hippocampal neurons, significantly damaged morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, decreased expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95 in hippocampus, and an increased Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the GluR2 blocker group and the GluR2 agonist group showed aggravation and alleviation of the above abnormal changes, respectively (P<0.05, P<0.01). The above depression-like behavior was significantly improved in the high- and low-dose Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu prescription groups to different degrees. Specifically, the two groups saw elevated levels of serum insulin and ATP, 5-HT, and DA in hippocampus (P<0.05, P<0.01), restrained increase in autophagosomes and damage to morphology and structure of dendrites and spines of hippocampal neurons, up-regulated protein expression levels of GluR2, RIMS3, and PSD95, and down-regulated Parkin expression level (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionZuogui Jiangtong Jieyu prescription can ameliorate the mitophagy-mediated damage to hippocampal synaptic microenvironment in DD rats, the mechanism of which might be related to the regulation of GluR2/Parkin signaling pathway.
2.Expert Consensus on Clinical Application of Pingxuan Capsules
Yuer HU ; Yanming XIE ; Yaming LIN ; Yuanqi ZHAO ; Yihuai ZOU ; Mingquan LI ; Xiaoming SHEN ; Wei PENG ; Changkuan FU ; Yuanyuan LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(1):201-210
As a patented characteristic medicine of Yi ethnic minority, Pingxuan capsules have the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney, pacifying the liver, and subduing Yang. With the main indications of dizziness, headache, palpitations, tinnitus, insomnia, dreaminess, waist and knee soreness caused by liver-kidney deficiency and liver Yang upward disturbance, Pingxuan capsules are widely used in the treatment of posterior circulation ischemic vertigo, vestibular migraine, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. However, the current knowledge is limited regarding the efficacy, syndrome differentiation, and safety of this medicine. On the basis of summarizing the experience of clinicians and the existing evidence, this study invites clinical experts of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, pharmaceutical experts, and methodological experts from relevant fields across China to conduct evidence-based evaluation of Pingxuan capsules. The evaluation follows the Specifications for the Development of Clinical Expert Consensus on Chinese Patent Medicines issued by the Standardization Office of the China Association of Chinese Medicine, and reaches 5 recommendations and 16 consensus suggestions. The consensus clarifies the clinical applications, efficacy, dose, course of treatment, combination of medicines, precautions, and contraindications of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo and explains the safety of clinical application. This consensus is applicable to clinicians (traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine) and pharmacists in tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals, and community-level medical and health institutions across China, providing a reference for the rational use of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo. It is hoped that the promotion of this consensus can facilitate the rational use of drugs in clinical practice, reduce the risk of drug use, and give full play to the advantages of Pingxuan capsules in the treatment of vertigo diseases. This consensus has been reviewed and published by the China Association of Chinese Medicine, with the number GS/CACM330-2023.
3.Study on specific imaging of choroidal melanoma cells by novel functionalized upconversion nanomaterials
Bingxin ZHAO ; Aicun FU ; Xiuhong LI ; Li WEI ; Weiqun WANG
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):24-30
AIM: To prepare a novel functionalized upconversion nanomaterial UCNPs-PEG-Tf through an improved method and observe its specific imaging phenomenon to choroidal melanoma cells(OCM-1).METHODS: NaYF4:Yb/Er(Up-conversion nanoparticles, UCNPs)was Prepared and plasma was treated to carboxylate the surface; then amino polyethylene glycol and transferrin(Tf)were respectively loaded to prepare UCNPs-PEG-Tf. Characterized them accordingly, its biocompatibility was tested accordingly, and the specific fluorescence phenomenon of OCM-1 was detected by fluorescence spectrophotometer and inverted fluorescence microscopy.RESULTS: Characterization confirmed successful synthesis of UCNPs, UCNPs-PEG, and further loading of Tf to form UCNPs-PEG-Tf. UCNPs-PEG-Tf showed excellent biocompatibility and emitted significant green fluorescence. Under the same conditions, fluorescence intensity measurement and observations from the inverted fluorescence microscope both demonstrated its significant specificity in imaging to OCM-1 cells.CONCLUSION: The synthesized novel functionalized UCNPs-PEG-Tf nanocomposite showed good biocompatibility and achieve specific imaging to OCM-1 cells.
4.Advances in early diabetic neuroretinopathy
International Eye Science 2025;25(1):76-81
Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a late-stage peripheral micro-neurovascular complication of chronic hyperglycemia, leading to blood-retinal barrier impairment and retinal dysfunction. Recent studies have found that diabetic neuroretinopathy(DN)may be one of the earliest events in diabetic retinal alterations. The main features include defective electroretinographic responses in newly diagnosed patients, early self-activation of microglia and Müller cells, reduced activity of neurotransmitters(e.g., DOPA/GABA), and early mitochondrial dysfunction, such as persistent Drp1-Fis1 fission and mtDNA methylation mismatches. Understanding the molecular basis of DN is essential for elucidating its pathogenesis and developing early treatments. This review summarizes pathological changes and mechanisms of retinal function, glial cells, neurotransmitters, mitochondria, and other factors in early diabetes mellitus, in order to provide a theoretical foundation for investigating early DN mechanisms and developing targeted therapies.
5.Impact of childhood maltreatment and sleep quality on depressive symptoms among middle school students
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):73-77
Objective:
To explore the impact of sleep quality, experience of childhood maltreatment, and their interaction on depressive symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide the reference for early intervention of depressive symptoms among middle school students.
Methods:
From September to December 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 231 students from two secondary schools in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province by a convenient sampling method. The survey included general demographic information, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire Short Form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Short Version of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. The Chi square test was used to analyze the differences in depressive symptom, sleep quality and childhood maltreatment among students with different demographic characteristics. Correlation analysis was conducted using Logistic regression, and interaction analysis was performed by both additive and multiplicative interaction models.
Results:
The detection rate of depressive symptoms among middle school students was 22.7%, and the rate for high school students (35.2%) was significantly higher than that for middle school students (17.0%) ( χ 2=50.35, P <0.01). The detection rates of depressive symptoms among middle school students with a history of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality were 45.8% and 44.0%, respectively. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to students without a history of childhood maltreatment, students with a history of childhood maltreatment had a higher risk of depressive symptoms ( OR =4.49,95% CI =3.31~ 6.09 , P <0.01);students with poor sleep quality had a higher risk of depressive symptoms than students with good sleep quality ( OR = 5.99,95% CI =4.37~8.22, P <0.01).The interaction results showed that the presence of childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had an additive interaction on the occurrence of depression in middle school students. Compared with students without childhood maltreatment and having good sleep quality, students with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality had a 22.49 times higher risk of developing depression ( OR =22.49,95% CI =14.22~35.59, P <0.01).
Conclusion
Depressive symptoms among middle school students are associated with childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality, and there is an additive interaction between childhood maltreatment and poor sleep quality on the impact of depressive symptoms.
6.Association of physical activity and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with psychological sub health among middle school students in Bao an District, Shenzhen
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(1):102-105
Objective:
To explore the association of physical activity and sugar sweetened beverage consumption with psychological sub health among middle school students in Bao an District, Shenzhen, so as to provide a reference for adolescent mental health promotion.
Methods:
A questionnaire survey was conducted in November 2024 by a stratified cluster random sampling method to select 6 926 junior and senior middle school students from 5 middle schools in Shenzhen. The questionnaire from Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System was used to assess the consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, and physical activity Rating Scale was used to assess the level of physical activity, and Brief Instrument on Psychological Health of Youths was used to evaluate the psychological sub health status. The Chi -square test was used to analyze the differences in the detection rates of psychological sub health among different groups of middle school students, and a multivariate Logistic regression model was established to analyze the effects of physical activity and sugar sweetened beverage consumption and their combined effects on the psychological sub health of middle school students.
Results:
The detection rate of psychological sub health among middle school students in Bao an District, Shenzhen was 18.93%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that, after controlling for confounding factors such as gender, school stage, family residence, family economic status, parental literacy, academic stress and number of friends, lack of physical activity or excessive sugar sweetened beverage consumption were associated with increased risks of psychological sub health among middle school students ( OR =1.36, 1.45); and the highest risk of psychological sub health was found in middle school students who were lack of physical activity and excessive sugar sweetened beverage consumption ( OR =2.59) ( P <0.01). Further analysis by school stages showed that junior high school students with sufficient physical activity and excessive intake of sugary drinks ( ROR =2.10), lack of physical activity and excessive intake of sugary drinks ( ROR =2.31) were at higher risks of psychological sub health than senior high school students( P <0.05).
Conclusions
Insufficient physical activity and excessive sugar sweetened beverage consumption are closely associated with an increased risk of psychological sub health among middle school students. Effective interventions should be targeted to reduce the risk of psychological sub health problems among middle school students.
7.Relationship of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin
HAN Yu, LI Zhi, LI Penghong, CUI Tingkai, XIONG Wenjuan, QU Zhiyi, XI Wei, ZHANG Xin
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(2):162-166
Objective:
To investigate the association of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin, so as to provide scientific evidence for childhood obesity prevention and intervention measures in the population.
Methods:
From January 2022 to June 2024, 296 children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorders aged 2-18 years were recruited from special education schools and institutions in Tianjin. Height and weight were measured, and a standardized questionnaire was used to assess physical activity and screen time. Binary Logistic regression analysis was carried out to investigate the association of physical activity and screen time with overweight and obesity.
Results:
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs in Tianjin were 17.2% and 21.6%, respectively, and the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 38.9%. The median of moderatetovigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was 0.20 h/d, and physical activity sufficiency rate was 7.8%. The median of screen time was 1.79 h/d, and the screen time compliance rate was 68.2%. The binary Logistic regression results showed that lower levels of MVPA time and increased screen time were associated with a higher risk of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs [OR(95%CI)=1.80(1.06-3.07), 2.40(1.42-4.07),P<0.05].
Conclusions
Insufficient physical activity and excessive screen time are associated with an increased risk of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents with special needs. Therefore, comprehensive intervention measures should be implemented as early as possible to prevent and reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity in this population.
8.Treadmill training activates endogenous neural stem cells to promote spinal cord injury repair in mice
Chanjuan CHEN ; Zeyu SHANGGUAN ; Qizhe LI ; Wei TAN ; Qing LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):3976-3982
BACKGROUND:Treadmill training is one of the effective ways to promote the recovery of motor function after spinal cord injury.Treadmill training can promote neurogenesis,but the effect of different intensities of treadmill training on the activation of endogenous stem cells is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the activation effect of different intensities of treadmill training on endogenous neural stem cells in the spinal cord of mice after spinal cord injury. METHODS:Fifty female C57BL/6J mice were divided into control group,spinal cord injury group,low-,moderate-,and high-intensity exercise groups with 10 mice in each group by random number table method.T10 segment spinal cord injury model was constructed by the clamp method in spinal cord injury group,low-,moderate-,and high-intensity exercise groups.On day 7 after spinal cord injury,mice in the low-,moderate-,and high-intensity exercise groups were respectively trained on the treadmill with corresponding intensity,3 times/d,10 min/times,6 times a week for 28 consecutive days.At 3,7,14,21,and 28 days after treadmill training,the hind limb motor function was evaluated by BMS score.At 28 days after treadmill training,the spinal cord tissue of the injured area was obtained,and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor,glial fibrillary acidic protein,and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU),a proliferative marker,was detected.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of spinal cord. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The BMS score of mice in the spinal cord injury group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).With the extension of treadmill training time,the BMS scores of mice with spinal cord injury gradually increased,and the BMS scores of mice in moderate-intensity exercise group on days 14 and 21 after treadmill training were higher than those in spinal cord injury group and low-and high-intensity exercise groups(P<0.05).The BMS score of mice in moderate-and high-intensity exercise group was higher than that in spinal cord injury group and low-intensity exercise group at 28 days after treadmill training(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the control group,the proportion of epidermal growth factor receptor and EdU positive cells was increased in spinal cord injury group(P<0.05).Compared with spinal cord injury group,the proportion of epidermal growth factor receptor and EdU positive cells was increased in low-,moderate-,and high-intensity exercise groups(P<0.05),and the highest was found in moderate-intensity exercise group.Compared with control group,the proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells was increased in spinal cord injury group(P<0.05).Compared with spinal cord injury group,the proportion of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells was lower in low-,moderate-,and high-intensity exercise groups(P<0.05),and the moderate-intensity exercise group was the lowest.(3)Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that a large cavity was formed in the injured area of mice with spinal cord injury,and the cavity in the injured area of mice with spinal cord injury decreased after different intensities of treadmill training,and the decrease was most obvious in the moderate-intensity exercise group.(4)These results indicate that low-,moderate-,and high-intensity treadmill training can promote the recovery of motor function of mice with spinal cord injury by activating endogenous neural stem cells,and the effect of moderate-intensity exercise training is the most obvious.
9.Panax notoginseng saponins regulate differential miRNA expression in osteoclast exosomes and inhibit ferroptosis in osteoblasts
Hongcheng TAO ; Ping ZENG ; Jinfu LIU ; Zhao TIAN ; Qiang DING ; Chaohui LI ; Jianjie WEI ; Hao LI
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4011-4021
BACKGROUND:Steroid-induced femoral head necrosis is mostly caused by long-term and extensive use of hormones,but its specific pathogenesis is not yet clear and needs further study. OBJECTIVE:To screen out the differential miRNAs in osteoclast exosomes after the intervention of Panax notoginseng saponins,and on this basis,to further construct an osteogenic-related ferroptosis regulatory network to explore the potential mechanism and research direction of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head. METHODS:MTT assay was used to detect the toxic effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone and different mass concentrations of Panax notoginseng saponins on Raw264.7 cell line.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and TUNEL assay were used to detect the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on osteoclast inhibition and apoptosis.Exosomes were extracted from cultured osteoclasts with Panax notoginseng saponins intervention.Exosomes from different groups were sequenced to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.CytoScape 3.9.1 was used to construct and visualize the regulatory network between differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs.Candidate mRNAs were screened by GO analysis and KEGG analysis.Finally,the differential genes related to ferroptosis were screened out,and the regulatory network of ferroptosis-related genes was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The concentration of dexamethasone(0.1 μmol/L)and Panax notoginseng saponins(1 736.85 μg/mL)suitable for intervention of Raw264.7 cells was determined by MTT assay.(2)Panax notoginseng saponins had an inhibitory effect on osteoclasts and could promote their apoptosis.(3)Totally 20 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified from osteoclast-derived exosome samples,and 11 differentially expressed miRNAs related to osteogenesis were predicted by target mRNAs.The regulatory networks of 4 up-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 155 down-regulated candidate mRNAs and 7 down-regulated differentially expressed miRNAs corresponding to 238 up-regulated candidate mRNAs were constructed.(4)Twenty-four genes related to ferroptosis were screened out from the differential genes.Finally,12 networks were constructed(miR-98-5p/PTGS2,miR-23b-3p/PTGS2,miR-425-5p/TFRC,miR-133a-3p/TFRC,miR-185-5p/TFRC,miR-23b-3p/NFE2L2,miR-23b-3p/LAMP2,miR-98-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/LAMP2,miR-182-5p/TLR4,miR-23b-3p/ZFP36,and miR-182-5p/ZFP36).These results indicate that Panax notoginseng saponins may regulate osteoblast ferroptosis by regulating the expression of miRNAs derived from osteoclast exosomes,thus providing a new idea for the study of the mechanism of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.
10.Scientific basis for acupuncture combined with neural stem cells for repairing spinal cord injury
Xiaomeng HUANG ; Zhilan ZHANG ; Wenya SHANG ; Jing HUANG ; Huilin WEI ; Bing LI ; Yafeng REN
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(19):4111-4121
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury is a neurological disorder caused by traumatic or non-traumatic events,often leading to severe functional impairment below the injured segment.In recent years,neural stem cell transplantation has been considered to have significant therapeutic potential in regulating the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury,inhibiting excessive proliferation of glial scars,and promoting nerve regeneration. OBJECTIVE:To review and discuss the potential mechanism of action of acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation therapy in inhibiting spinal cord injury-induced secondary injury,and to delve into the scientific basis for its treatment of spinal cord injury. METHODS:PubMed,Elsevier,WanFang,and CNKI databases were searched using"spinal cord injury,acupuncture,neural stem cells,SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis"as Chinese and English search terms.Totally 96 articles were finally included.The research findings of acupuncture combined with neural stem cells in the treatment of spinal cord injury were summarized and analyzed,and the mechanism of this combination therapy in the treatment of secondary injury after spinal cord injury was summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The stromal-derived factor 1α(SDF-1α)/chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)axis plays a crucial role in neural stem cell transplantation for spinal cord injury.This signaling mechanism not only affects neural stem cell migration,proliferation,and differentiation,but is also a key factor in determining the efficiency of stem cell homing to the injury site.Therefore,the regulation of targeting this axis is of great significance in enhancing the therapeutic effect of spinal cord injury.(2)Acupuncture,as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy,shows unique advantages in the regulation of secondary injury in spinal cord injury.It can effectively reduce secondary injury after spinal cord injury by regulating inflammatory response,inhibiting apoptosis,improving microcirculation,reducing glial scar formation,and counteracting oxidative stress.(3)Acupuncture was also able to influence the expression and function of the SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis,thereby enhancing the homing and survival ability of neural stem cells and promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.(4)The therapy combining acupuncture and stem cell transplantation is an innovative treatment strategy for spinal cord injury and suitable for repairing neural circuits.It combines the wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine with the advantages of modern biotechnology,providing a new treatment option for spinal cord injury patients.However,this combination therapy is still in the research and exploration stage,and its long-term efficacy and safety need to be further verified.(5)Taken together,acupuncture and neural stem cell transplantation for the treatment of spinal cord injury has great potential for clinical application,but in-depth research and optimization of treatment options are still needed.In the future,we look forward to further revealing the efficacy mechanism and optimal indications of this therapy through more clinical trials and mechanism studies,so as to bring better hope of recovery and more efficient therapeutic effects to spinal cord injury patients.


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