1.The role and mechanism of DA/GSK-3 signaling in manic-like behavior induced by acute sleep deprivation in mice
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(1):87-95
Objective :
To explore the effects of acute sleep deprivation on manic-like behavior in mice and its possible molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
Seventy-three 8-week male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group(ctrl group,n=36) and acute sleep deprivation group(SD group,n=37). After acute sleep deprivation, the motor and exploration ability of mice were evaluated by open field test and elevated plus maze. Depression-like behavior of mice was evaluated by tail suspension test. Neuronal activation in brain tissue was observed by c-fos staining, neurotransmitter levels in hippocampus(HIP) and medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC) were detected by ELISA Kit, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β) and phosphorylated GSK-3β(p-GSK-3β) levels in HIP and mPFC were detected by Western blot.
Results:
Compared with the ctrl group, the total movement distance(P<0.05) and the time in the central area(P<0.05) of the mice in SD group significantly increased in the open field test, and the open arm time(P<0.000 1) and open arm distance(P<0.01) significantly increased in the elevated plus maze. In the tail suspension test, the immobility time(P<0.01) was significantly reduced. In SD group, the expression of c-fos in HIP and mPFC increased(P<0.01), and the level of neurotransmitter DA in HIP(P<0.05) and mPFC(P<0.01) significantly increased. Western blot results showed that compared with ctrl group, the ratio of p-GSK-3β and GSK-3β in mPFC and HIP significantly decreased in SD group(P<0.000 1,P<0.05), while the level of p-GSK-3β protein significantly decreased in mPFC(P<0.05), but there was no significant change in HIP.
Conclusion
Acute sleep deprivation may regulate the level of GSK-3 through DA in mPFC of mice, inhibiting the serine phosphorylation of GSK-3 and eventually leading to manic-like behavior in mice.
2.Evidence-based research on the nutritional and health effects of functional components of tea
Zhijian HE ; Yuping LI ; Fan BU ; Jia CUI ; Xinwen BI ; Yuanjie CUI ; Zhiyuan GUO ; Ming LI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(2):190-198
As a traditional nutritional and healthy cash crop in China, tea has certain significance in promoting human health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases. Studies have shown that the nutritional health effect of tea is due to its rich functional components, mainly including tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, alkaloids and other bioactive substances. At present, researchers from the academic circles have continuously carried out animal and human experiments on the health effects of various functional components of tea, which has accumulated abundant research data and materials. Based on this, this article reviews the literature on the nutritional and health effects of the main functional components of tea, and adopts the method of evidence-based research to screen and extract relevant data for qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis. Subsequently, the nutritional health effects of the five functional components of tea, namely tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine, and alkaloids, are summarized and outlined. Studies have shown that tea polyphenols, tea pigments, tea polysaccharides, theanine and alkaloids have different health effects and are expected to play their unique roles in promoting human health and preventing and controlling diseases.
3.Structural and Spatial Analysis of The Recognition Relationship Between Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Antigenic Epitopes and Antibodies
Zheng ZHU ; Zheng-Shan CHEN ; Guan-Ying ZHANG ; Ting FANG ; Pu FAN ; Lei BI ; Yue CUI ; Ze-Ya LI ; Chun-Yi SU ; Xiang-Yang CHI ; Chang-Ming YU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(4):957-969
ObjectiveThis study leverages structural data from antigen-antibody complexes of the influenza A virus neuraminidase (NA) protein to investigate the spatial recognition relationship between the antigenic epitopes and antibody paratopes. MethodsStructural data on NA protein antigen-antibody complexes were comprehensively collected from the SAbDab database, and processed to obtain the amino acid sequences and spatial distribution information on antigenic epitopes and corresponding antibody paratopes. Statistical analysis was conducted on the antibody sequences, frequency of use of genes, amino acid preferences, and the lengths of complementarity determining regions (CDR). Epitope hotspots for antibody binding were analyzed, and the spatial structural similarity of antibody paratopes was calculated and subjected to clustering, which allowed for a comprehensively exploration of the spatial recognition relationship between antigenic epitopes and antibodies. The specificity of antibodies targeting different antigenic epitope clusters was further validated through bio-layer interferometry (BLI) experiments. ResultsThe collected data revealed that the antigen-antibody complex structure data of influenza A virus NA protein in SAbDab database were mainly from H3N2, H7N9 and H1N1 subtypes. The hotspot regions of antigen epitopes were primarily located around the catalytic active site. The antibodies used for structural analysis were primarily derived from human and murine sources. Among murine antibodies, the most frequently used V-J gene combination was IGHV1-12*01/IGHJ2*01, while for human antibodies, the most common combination was IGHV1-69*01/IGHJ6*01. There were significant differences in the lengths and usage preferences of heavy chain CDR amino acids between antibodies that bind within the catalytic active site and those that bind to regions outside the catalytic active site. The results revealed that structurally similar antibodies could recognize the same epitopes, indicating a specific spatial recognition between antibody and antigen epitopes. Structural overlap in the binding regions was observed for antibodies with similar paratope structures, and the competitive binding of these antibodies to the epitope was confirmed through BLI experiments. ConclusionThe antigen epitopes of NA protein mainly ditributed around the catalytic active site and its surrounding loops. Spatial complementarity and electrostatic interactions play crucial roles in the recognition and binding of antibodies to antigenic epitopes in the catalytic region. There existed a spatial recognition relationship between antigens and antibodies that was independent of the uniqueness of antibody sequences, which means that antibodies with different sequences could potentially form similar local spatial structures and recognize the same epitopes.
4.Mechanism of action of sex hormones in regulating T cell-mediated autoimmune hepatitis: A study based on the phenomenon of female bias
Haiqiang WANG ; Dasha SUN ; Han WANG ; Jiahua TIAN ; Xinyue CUI ; Ming LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(4):742-747
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an autoimmune disease characterized by liver parenchymal destruction and chronic fibrosis, and it is often mediated by T cells. The pathogenesis of AIH involves multiple factors, including sex, region, environmental factors, and genetic susceptibility. A notable predisposition is observed in female individuals, and the incidence rate of AIH in female individuals is significantly higher than that in male individuals. This sex difference is associated with various factors, and sex hormones may be an important cause of the female predominance of AIH, although the specific mechanisms remain unclear. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action of sex hormones in the pathogenesis of AIH will help to better understand the pathogenesis of the disease and may provide important clues for developing future treatment methods and prevention strategies. This article reviews the mechanism of action of estrogen and androgen in regulating the pathogenesis of AIH by regulating T cells, in order to provide new ideas and directions for further exploring the potential role of sex hormones in the etiology of autoimmune diseases.
5.An experimental method for simultaneous extraction and culture of primary cortical neurons and microglial cells from SD rats
Longcai HE ; Wenxue SONG ; Jiang MING ; Guangtang CHEN ; Junhao WANG ; Yidong LIAO ; Junshuan CUI ; Kaya XU
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2025;29(7):1395-1400
BACKGROUND:Primary cortical neurons and microglial cells play a crucial role in exploring cell therapies for neurological disorders,and most of the current methods for obtaining the two types of cells are cumbersome and require separate extraction.It is therefore crucial to find a convenient and rapid method to extract both types of cells simultaneously. OBJECTIVE:To explore a novel method for simultaneous extraction of primary cortical neurons and microglial cells. METHODS:Newborn suckling SD rats were taken within 24 hours.The brain was removed and placed in a dish with DMEM,and the pia mater was removed for later use.Primary neurons were extracted from the same brain tissue,and then the remaining brain tissue was used to extract microglial cells.The whole process was performed on ice.Extraction and culture steps of primary cortical neurons:The cerebral cortex was taken 2.0-3.0 mm with forceps,and the tissue was digested with papain for 20 minutes.After aborting digestion,the blown tissue presented an adherent tissue suspension.The supernatant cell suspension was obtained,filtered,and dispensed into 15 mL centrifuge tubes.After centrifugation and re-suspension,the cells were inoculated onto 6-well plate crawls coated with L-polylysine.Neuronal morphology was observed at 1-day intervals,and staining could be performed for identification using immunofluorescence staining of MAP2 and β-Tubulin by day 7.Microglia extraction and culture steps:The remaining brain tissue at 8-10 mm thick was subjected to microglial cell extraction,digested by trypsin for 20 minutes.After digestion was stopped,the tissue was blown to a homogenate,and then the homogenate was transferred to the culture bottle for culture.On day 14,the culture flasks were sealed and subjected to constant temperature horizontal shaking for 2 hours.Microglial cells were shed in the supernatant.Purified microglial cells were taken and continued to be cultured for 3 days for identification by Iba1 immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After 24 hours of culture,the neurons were adherent to the wall,the cytosol was enlarged,and some neurons developed synapses.After 3 and 5 days of culture,the cytosol was further enlarged,and most of the neurons were in the form of synapses,and some neurons were growing in clusters.On day 7,neuronal synapses were prolonged and thickened,and they were connected with each other to form a network.The neurons were identified by β-Tubulin and MAP2 immunofluorescence staining.(2)The cells grew close to the wall on day 1 of culture.On days 3,5,and 7,the density of microglial cells was small,and the cell morphology was bright oval or round,but the cells basically grew in clumps on the upper layer of other cells.On day 10,the density of microglial cells increased significantly.On day 14,microglial cells grew in dense clumps on the upper layer of other cells,and then they could be isolated and purified.The isolated and purified cells were taken and re-cultured to day 3 and identified as microglial cells by Iba1 immunofluorescence;their purity was greater than 95%.(3)The results show that primary cortical neurons and microglial cells obtained by this method after extraction and culture are of high purity,good morphology,and high viability.
6.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
7.Characteristics of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes in Patients with Concurrent Postmenopausal Osteoporosis and Knee Osteoarthritis
Xin CUI ; Huaiwei GAO ; Long LIANG ; Ming CHEN ; Shangquan WANG ; Ting CHENG ; Yili ZHANG ; Xu WEI ; Yanming XIE
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(12):257-265
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in the patients with concurrent knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and provide a scientific basis for precise TCM syndrome differentiation, diagnosis, and treatment of such concurrent diseases. MethodsA prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional clinical survey was conducted to analyze the characteristics of TCM syndromes in the patients with concurrent PMOP and KOA. Excel 2021 was used to statistically analyze the general characteristics of the included patients. Continuous variables were reported as
8.Factors and Their Impact on Treatment Effect of Acupuncture in Different Outcomes: A Meta-Regression of Acupuncture Randomized Controlled Trials.
Wen-Cui XIU ; Wei-Juan GANG ; Qi ZHOU ; Lan-Jun SHI ; Xiang-Yu HU ; Tian-Yu MING ; Zhen LUO ; Yu-Qing ZHANG ; Xiang-Hong JING
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):260-266
BACKGROUND:
The effects of acupuncture have varied in different randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and there are many factors that influence treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes, with conflicting results.
OBJECTIVE:
To identify factors and their impact on the treatment effect of acupuncture in different outcomes.
METHODS:
Acupuncture RCTs were searched from 7 databases including Medline (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, VIP Database, and China Biology Medicine disc between January 1st, 2015 and December 31st, 2019. Eligible studies must compare acupuncture to no acupuncture, sham acupuncture, or waiting lists, and report at least 1 patient-important outcome. A multi-level meta-regression was conducted using a 3-level robust mixed model and univariate analyses were performed for all independent variables, even those excluded from the multivariable model due to collinearities. We used thresholds of 0.2 and 0.4 for the difference of standardized mean differences (SMDs), categorising them as small (<0.2), moderate (0.2-0.4), or large (>0.4) effects.
RESULTS:
The pain construct analysis involved 211 effect estimates from 153 studies and 14 independent variables. High-frequency acupuncture treatment sessions produced larger effects compared to low-frequency sessions [large magnitude, the difference of adjusted SMDs 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.84; P=0.02]. The non-pain symptoms construct analysis comprised 323 effect estimates from 231 studies and 15 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture showed moderately larger effects when compared to non-penetrating acupuncture (0.30, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01). The function construct analysis included 495 effect estimates from 274 studies and 14 independent variables. Penetrating acupuncture and the flexible acupuncture regimen showed moderately larger effects, compared to non-penetrating acupuncture and fixed regimen, respectively (0.40, 95% CI 0 to 0.80; P=0.05; 0.29, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.53; P=0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
High-frequency acupuncture sessions appear to be a more effective approach to managing painful symptoms. Penetrating acupuncture demonstrated greater effect in relieving non-painful symptoms. Both penetrating acupuncture type and flexible acupuncture regimen were linked to significant treatment effects in function outcomes. Future studies should consider the factors that are significantly associated with the effects of acupuncture in patient-important outcomes.
Humans
;
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
;
Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
;
Pain
;
Pain Management
;
China
9. Study on spleen strengthening effects and mechanisms of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana
Ming-Yang CUI ; Yi-Hui DING ; Yang QU ; Zhi-Li XU ; Qian CAI
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(1):181-188
Aim To analyze the differences in plasma biomarkers and metabolic pathways between Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana after intervention in spleen deficiency rats, and discuss the spleen strengthening mechanism of the two from a non targeted metabolomics perspective. Methods A spleen deficiency model was established in SD rats using a composite factor method of improper diet, excessive fatigue, and bitter cold diarrhea. To determine the content of gastrointestinal and immunological indicators, UHPLC-QE-MS technology was used, combined with principal component analysis (PC A) and orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) methods to search for biomarkers in plasma of spleen deficiency rats, and metabolic pathways were induced using the Pathway database. Results After administration of Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana, various indicators in plasma of spleen deficiency rats showed varying degrees of regression. Metabolomics analysis showed that Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana respectively recalled 70 and 82 plasma differential metabolites. Atractylodes chinensis mainly regulated two metabolic pathways : "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism". Atractylodes coreana mainly regulated five metabolic pathways, "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism", "Thiamine metabolism, "Pyrimidine metabolism", "Butanoate metabolism", and "Riboflavin metabolism". Conclusions Both Atractylodes chinensis and Atractylodes coreana have certain regulatory effects on spleen deficiency rats, and their mechanism of action may be related to regulating metabolic pathways such as "Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, and "Thiamine metabolism"in spleen deficiency.
10. Effect of quercetin's anti-breast cancer depending on presence of estrogen receptor via down-regulating long non-coding RNA MALAT-1 and its mechanism
Zi-Yi ZHAO ; Ming XIONGXIAO ; Cui-Wei ZHANG ; Ming XIONGXIAO ; Cui-Wei ZHANG ; Yu-Peng XIE ; Yi-Wen ZHANG
Chinese Pharmacological Bulletin 2024;40(3):499-505
Aim To investigate the molecular mechanism by which quercetin inhibits the malignant behavior of breast cancer cells. Methods Breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MB231 were used as the research models. Lentiviral transfection was employed to establish tumor cells with high expression of ERa and MAL-AT-1. The expression of MALAT-1 was assessed using RT-qPCR,and ERa expression was determined through Western blot. Subsequently, CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay were conducted to evaluate cell proliferation. PI staining and adenovirus transfection were performed to observe the inhibitory effects of quercetin on breast cancer cell proliferation. Results 17|3-es-tradiol ( E2 ) promoted the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells, while 5 jjunol L quercetin reversed the promoting effect of E2 on proliferation ( P 0. 05 ) . Quercetin had no effect on MB231 breast cancer cells. Overexpression of ERa significantly inhibited the pro-proliferative effect of E2 on MB231-ERa cells, and quercetin further suppressed this effect. Additionally , quercetin inhibited the expression of MALAT-1. However,this inhibitory effect was reversed by overexpression of MALAT-1, leading to enhanced cell proliferation , cell cycle progression, and clonal formation a-bility. Conclusions Quercetin exerts its anti-tumor effects on breast cancer cells by regulating MALAT-1, dependent on the presence of estrogen receptor. Quercetin shows potential as a therapeutic drug for breast cancer targeting the estrogen receptor.


Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail