1.2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via PINK1/LETM1 Signaling Pathway
Hongyu ZENG ; Kaimei TAN ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Ziyang ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Xiuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):145-154
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, SAS (40 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1, respectively) THSG groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring, and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), autophagy-associated protein p62, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 (Caspase-9), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited increased infarct volume (P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.01), neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. (P<0.01), mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation, decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.01), downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.05), weakened PC12 viability (P<0.01), and elevated mitochondrial calcium level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes (P<0.05,P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.05,P<0.01), mitigated mitochondrial damage, and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01). Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage, increased Nissl bodies (P<0.05,P<0.01), downregulated the protein levels of p62, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level (P<0.05,P<0.01). High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability (P<0.01), increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), and reduced mitochondrial calcium (P<0.01). ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway, reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload, and promoting mitophagy.
2.2,3,5,4′-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury via PINK1/LETM1 Signaling Pathway
Hongyu ZENG ; Kaimei TAN ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Ziyang ZHOU ; Dahua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hongqing ZHAO ; Yuhong WANG ; Xiuli ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):145-154
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxyldiphenylethylene-2-O-glucoside (THSG) mitigates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury by regulating mitochondrial calcium overload and promoting mitophagy. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomized into sham, model, SAS (40 mg·kg-1), and low-, medium- and high-dose (10, 20, 40 mg·kg-1, respectively) THSG groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model was established by the modified Longa suture method. An oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was constructed in PC12 cells. Neurological deficits were assessed via Zea Longa scoring, and cerebral infarct volume was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Structural and functional changes of cortical neurons in MCAO/R rats were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl staining. PC12 cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and mitochondrial calcium levels were quantified by Rhod-2 AM. Immunofluorescence was used to detect co-localization of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and leucine zipper/EF-hand-containing transmembrane protein 1 (LETM1) in neurons. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology in neurons. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20 (TOMM20), autophagy-associated protein p62, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-9 (Caspase-9), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (Bax), and cytochrome C (Cyt C). ResultsCompared with the sham group, the model group exhibited increased infarct volume (P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.01), neuronal structure was disrupted with reduced Nissl bodies. (P<0.01), mitochondrial swelling/fragmentation, decreased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), upregulated protein levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.01), downregulated protein level of p62 (P<0.05), weakened PC12 viability (P<0.01), and elevated mitochondrial calcium level (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, THSG and SAS groups showed reduced infarct volumes (P<0.05,P<0.01) and neurological deficit scores (P<0.05,P<0.01), mitigated mitochondrial damage, and increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01). Medium/high-dose THSG and SAS alleviated the neurological damage, increased Nissl bodies (P<0.05,P<0.01), downregulated the protein levels of p62, TOMM20, Caspase-9, Bax, and Cyt C (P<0.05,P<0.01), and elevated the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ level (P<0.05,P<0.01). High-dose THSG enhanced PC12 cell viability (P<0.01), increased PINK1/LETM1 co-localization (P<0.01), and reduced mitochondrial calcium (P<0.01). ConclusionTHSG may exert the neuroprotective effect on CI/R injury by activating the PINK1-LETM1 signaling pathway, reducing the mitochondrial calcium overload, and promoting mitophagy.
3.c-Met-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells inhibit human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3 in vitro.
Na-Na DU ; Yan-Jun ZHANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Lu ZHANG ; Ran AN ; Xiang-Cheng ZHEN ; Jing-Ting MIN ; Zheng-Hong LI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(2):241-254
The study aimed to construct the second and third generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) targeting the c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) protein, and observe their killing effect on human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3. The expression of MET gene in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, the correlation between MET gene expression and the abundance of immune cell infiltration, and the effect of MET gene expression on the tissue function of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression of c-Met in ovarian cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The second and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells, namely c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G), were prepared by lentivirus infection, and the cell subsets and infection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry. Using CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells as control groups and A2780 cells with c-Met negative expression as Non target groups, the kill efficiency on SKOV-3 cells with c-Met positive expression, cytokine release and cell proliferation of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) were explored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, ELISA and CCK-8 respectively. The results showed that MET gene expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. However, in all pathological stages, there was no obvious difference in MET expression and no correlation between MET gene expression and the race and age of ovarian cancer patients. The second generation and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells were successfully constructed. After lentivirus infection, the proportion of CD8+ T cells in c-Met CAR-T(2G) was upregulated, while there was no significant change in the cell subsets of c-Met CAR-T(3G). The LDH release experiment showed that the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) on SKOV-3 increased with the increase of effect-target ratio. When the effect-target ratio was 20:1, the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G) reached (42.02 ± 5.17)% (P < 0.05), and the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(3G) reached (51.40 ± 2.71)% (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that c-Met CAR-T released more cytokine compared to CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the cytokine release of c-Met CAR-T(3G) was higher than c-Met CAR-T(2G) (P < 0.01). The CCK-8 results showed that after 48 h, the cell number of c-Met CAR-T(2G) was higher than that of c-Met CAR-T(3G) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, both the second and third generation c-Met CAR-T can target and kill c-Met-positive SKOV-3 cells, with no significant difference. c-Met CAR-T(2G) has stronger proliferative ability, and c-Met CAR-T(3G) releases more cytokines.
Humans
;
Female
;
Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology*
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism*
;
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology*
;
Cell Line, Tumor
;
Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/immunology*
;
T-Lymphocytes/immunology*
4.Randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter, equivalence clinical trial of Jiuwei Xifeng Granules(Os Draconis replaced by Ostreae Concha) for treating tic disorder in children.
Qiu-Han CAI ; Cheng-Liang ZHONG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Xin-Min LI ; Zhi-Chun XU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying HUA ; Jun-Hong WANG ; Ji-Hong TANG ; Bing-Xiang MA ; Xiu-Xia WANG ; Ai-Zhen WANG ; Meng-Qing WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi-Qun TENG ; Yi-Hui SHAN ; Sheng-Xuan GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1699-1705
Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Double-Blind Method
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Tic Disorders/drug therapy*
;
Treatment Outcome
5.Study on mechanism of naringin in alleviating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury based on DRP1/LRRK2/MCU axis.
Kai-Mei TAN ; Hong-Yu ZENG ; Feng QIU ; Yun XIANG ; Zi-Yang ZHOU ; Da-Hua WU ; Chang LEI ; Hong-Qing ZHAO ; Yu-Hong WANG ; Xiu-Li ZHANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2484-2494
This study aims to investigate the molecular mechanism by which naringin alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(CI/R) injury through DRP1/LRRK2/MCU signaling axis. A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the model group, the sodium Danshensu group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose(50, 100, and 200 mg·kg~(-1)) naringin groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the sham group, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(tMCAO/R) model was established in SD rats using the suture method. Longa 5-point scale was used to assess neurological deficits. 2,3,5-Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride(TTC) staining was used to detect the volume percentage of cerebral infarction in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to assess neuronal structural alterations and the number of Nissl bodies in cortex, respectively. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 gene(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), cleaved cysteine-aspartate protease-3(cleaved caspase-3), mitochondrial calcium uniporter(MCU), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3), and P62. Mitochondrial structure and autophagy in cortical neurons were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assay was used to quantify the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion, as well as the co-localization of dynamin-related protein 1(DRP1) with leucine-rich repeat kinase 2(LRRK2) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 20(TOMM20) with LC3 in cortical mitochondria. The results showed that compared with the model group, naringin significantly decreased the volume percentage of cerebral infarction and neurological deficit score in tMCAO/R rats, alleviated the structural damage and Nissl body loss of cortical neurons in tMCAO/R rats, inhibited autophagosomes in cortical neurons, and increased the average diameter of cortical mitochondria. The Western blot results showed that compared to the sham group, the model group exhibited increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU, and the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio in the cortex and reduced protein levels of Bcl-2 and P62. However, naringin down-regulated the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, MCU and the ratio of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio and up-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and P62 proteins in cortical area. In addition, immunofluorescence analysis showed that compared with the model group, naringin and positive drug treatments significantly decreased the fluorescence intensities of MCU and mitochondrial calcium ion. Meanwhile, the co-localization of DRP1 with LRRK2 and TOMM20 with LC3 in cortical mitochondria was also decreased significantly after the intervention. These findings suggest that naringin can alleviate cortical neuronal damage in tMCAO/R rats by inhibiting DRP1/LRRK2/MCU-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation and the resultant excessive mitophagy.
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Flavanones/administration & dosage*
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Rats
;
Dynamins/genetics*
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Male
;
Brain Ischemia/genetics*
;
Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/genetics*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Humans
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
6.Study on lightweight plasma recognition algorithm based on depth image perception.
Hanwen ZHANG ; Yu SUN ; Hao JIANG ; Jintian HU ; Gangyin LUO ; Dong LI ; Weijuan CAO ; Xiang QIU
Journal of Biomedical Engineering 2025;42(1):123-131
In the clinical stage, suspected hemolytic plasma may cause hemolysis illness, manifesting as symptoms such as heart failure, severe anemia, etc. Applying a deep learning method to plasma images significantly improves recognition accuracy, so that this paper proposes a plasma quality detection model based on improved "You Only Look Once" 5th version (YOLOv5). Then the model presented in this paper and the evaluation system were introduced into the plasma datasets, and the average accuracy of the final classification reached 98.7%. The results of this paper's experiment were obtained through the combination of several key algorithm modules including omni-dimensional dynamic convolution, pooling with separable kernel attention, residual bi-fusion feature pyramid network, and re-parameterization convolution. The method of this paper obtains the feature information of spatial mapping efficiently, and enhances the average recognition accuracy of plasma quality detection. This paper presents a high-efficiency detection method for plasma images, aiming to provide a practical approach to prevent hemolysis illnesses caused by external factors.
Algorithms
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Humans
;
Hemolysis
;
Plasma
;
Deep Learning
;
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods*
7.Increased Tertiary Lymphoid Structures are Associated with Exaggerated Lung Tissue Damage in Smokers with Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Yue ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Zi Kang SHENG ; Ya Fei RAO ; Xiang ZHU ; Yu PANG ; Meng Qiu GAO ; Xiao Yan GAI ; Yong Chang SUN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):810-818
OBJECTIVE:
Cigarette smoking exacerbates the progression of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The role of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in chronic lung diseases has gained attention; however, it remains unclear whether smoking-exacerbated lung damage in TB is associated with TLS. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of pulmonary TLS in smokers with TB and to explore the possible role of TLS in smoking-related lung injury in TB.
METHODS:
Lung tissues from 36 male patients (18 smokers and 18 non-smokers) who underwent surgical resection for pulmonary TB were included in this study. Pathological and immunohistological analyses were conducted to evaluate the quantity of TLS, and chest computed tomography (CT) was used to assess the severity of lung lesions. The correlation between the TLS quantity and TB lesion severity scores was analyzed. The immune cells and chemokines involved in TLS formation were also evaluated and compared between smokers and non-smokers.
RESULTS:
Smoker patients with TB had significantly higher TLS than non-smokers ( P < 0.001). The TLS quantity in both the lung parenchyma and peribronchial regions correlated with TB lesion severity on chest CT (parenchyma: r = 0.5767; peribronchial: r = 0.7373; both P < 0.001). Immunohistochemical analysis showed increased B cells, T cells, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13 (CXCL13) expression in smoker patients with TB ( P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Smoker TB patients exhibited increased pulmonary TLS, which was associated with exacerbated lung lesions on chest CT, suggesting that cigarette smoking may exacerbate lung damage by promoting TLS formation.
Humans
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Male
;
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/immunology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology*
;
Adult
;
Lung/pathology*
;
Smoking/adverse effects*
;
Smokers
;
Aged
;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
8.Advances in therapeutic drug monitoring methods based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Ziying LI ; Jie XIE ; Ziyu QU ; You JIANG ; Di ZHANG ; Songlin YU ; Xiaoli MA ; Ling QIU ; Xinhua DAI ; Xiang FANG ; Xiaoping YU
Chinese Journal of Laboratory Medicine 2024;47(3):332-340
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technology has the characteristics of high specificity and high throughput, making it rapidly applied and developed in the field of clinical testing. Its application in the monitoring of therapeutic drugs can effectively improve the quantitative accuracy and sensitivity, and formulate a personalized and optimal dosing plan for patients. However, this technology still faces some challenges, and automation, quality control, and quantitative traceability will be the future development direction.
9.Correlation between Combined Urinary Metal Exposure and Grip Strength under Three Statistical Models: A Cross-sectional Study in Rural Guangxi
Jian Yu LIANG ; Hui Jia RONG ; Xiu Xue WANG ; Sheng Jian CAI ; Dong Li QIN ; Mei Qiu LIU ; Xu TANG ; Ting Xiao MO ; Fei Yan WEI ; Xia Yin LIN ; Xiang Shen HUANG ; Yu Ting LUO ; Yu Ruo GOU ; Jing Jie CAO ; Wu Chu HUANG ; Fu Yu LU ; Jian QIN ; Yong Zhi ZHANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2024;37(1):3-18
Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95% confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.
10.Electroacupuncture Promotes Functional Recovery after Facial Nerve Injury in Rats by Regulating Autophagy via GDNF and PI3K/mTOR Signaling Pathway.
Jun-Peng YAO ; Xiu-Mei FENG ; Lu WANG ; Yan-Qiu LI ; Zi-Yue ZHU ; Xiang-Yun YAN ; Yu-Qing YANG ; Ying LI ; Wei ZHANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2024;30(3):251-259
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR.
RESULTS:
The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats
;
Male
;
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Electroacupuncture
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism*
;
Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism*
;
Beclin-1
;
Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
;
Signal Transduction
;
TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism*
;
Autophagy
;
Mammals/metabolism*

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