1.Effect Analysis of Different Interventions to Improve Neuroinflammation in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Chao-Yang CHU ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Biao XIAO ; Kai XIE ; Qing-Juan WANG ; Zhi-Tao LIU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(2):310-333
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.
2.Status Analysis of Acupoint Selection and Stimulation Parameters Application for Acupuncture Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia
Siyi ZHENG ; Han ZHANG ; Yang YU ; Chuanlong ZHOU ; Yan SHI ; Xiaohu YIN ; Shouhai HONG ; Na NIE ; Jianqiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1293-1299
Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD), this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS, whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally, the study explores the impact of various factors, such as stimulation techniques, needling order, intensity or stimulation parameters, and depth, on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations, local versus distal, affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes, providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.
3.The impact of postpartum depression on maternal responsiveness in infant care
Shuzhen LI ; Fang WANG ; Ke WANG ; Su LIU ; Qian WEI ; Qing YANG ; Leilei LIU ; Huijing SHI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;37(3):271-275
ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of maternal postpartum depression (PPD) at 2 months postpartum on caregiving for infants aged2 to 24 months, and to provide a scientific basis for future maternal and infant healthcare services. MethodsBased on the Shanghai Maternal-Child Pairs Cohort, 1 060 mother-child pairs were selected from those fully participating in follow-up visits at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum. Pregnancy and childbirth-related information was collected using standardized questionnaire surveys and hospital obstetric and maternity records. The Edinburgh postpartum depression scale was used to assess the maternal postpartum depressive symptoms at 2 months postpartum. At 2, 6, 12, and 24 months postpartum, questionnaire survey was used to evaluate the maternal responsiveness in caregiving and the provision of early learning opportunities for infants. Scores for responsive caregiving and early learning opportunities at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months were grouped based on the 25th percentile (P25) of total scores. The mixed-effects model was used to analyze the longitudinal impact of maternal postpartum depression at 2 months on the caregiving of 2 to 24-month-old infants. ResultsThe longitudinal results from the mixed-effects model did not show an impact of maternal PPD on infant responsive caregiving within 12 months and early learning opportunities within24 months. However, cross-sectional analysis revealed that, compared to the non-PPD group, the risk of low responsive caregiving at 2 months in the PPD group was 93% higher (OR=1.931, 95%CI: 1.113‒3.364, P=0.019). The risks for low provision of early learning opportunities at2 months and 24 months increased by 59% (OR=1.589, 95%CI: 1.082‒2.324, P=0.017) and 60% (OR=1.598, 95%CI:1.120‒2.279, P=0.010), respectively. ConclusionMaternal postpartum depression increases the risk of low responsive caregiving at 2 months, but its long-term effects warrant further research.
4.Clinical Observation on Rongjin Tongbi Decoction in Treating Sciatica Caused by Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation with Liver and Kidney Deficiency Type
Yemei GAO ; Zhiqi LIANG ; Yang JIANG ; Xin LI ; Fang SHI ; Fangming HE ; Yang LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(8):134-140
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Rongjin Tongbi decoction on sciatica caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with liver and kidney deficiency type based on a randomized controlled study. MethodFrom January 2019 to July 2022, 90 patients in the department of Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) of Beijing Jishuitan Hospital who met the inclusion criteria were selected and divided into two groups according to the random number table, with 45 patients in each group. During the study, 19 cases dropped out, with 41 cases included in the final observation group and 30 cases in the control group. The observation group was given Rongjin Tongbi decoction orally, and the control group was given Loxoprofen Sodium Tablets orally for 28 days. The differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) scores, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, activities of daily living (ADL) assessments, TCM clinical symptoms, subjective symptoms, and clinical signs scores between two groups before and after treatment were observed. Liver and kidney functions and gastrointestinal adverse reactions were detected for safety evaluation. ResultBefore treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in scores between the observation group and the control group. After treatment, the absolute values of the differences in VAS and ADL scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the absolute value of the difference in JOA scores between two groups. The absolute value of the difference in TCM clinical symptom scores in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the absolute values of the differences in subjective symptom and clinical sign scores between two groups. The levels of liver and kidney function indicators in both groups before and after the experiment were normal, and there was no significant difference in gastrointestinal reactions. ConclusionRongjin Tongbi decoction can significantly improve the symptoms of sciatica patients caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with liver and kidney deficiency type. After treatment, the patients exhibited significant improvements in pain, activity and other aspects, and it is proven to be safe and reliable, which is conducive to the recovery of physical function.
5.Genetic characteristics of influenza A H3N2 virus influenza season in Xiangyang City in 2022-2023
Jing SHI ; Fangli TONG ; Shengyang ZHU ; Yunxia GAN ; Lu MA ; Narenqimuge TONG ; Bin FANG ; Peng CHEN ; Gang YANG
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine 2024;35(3):32-36
Objective To analyze the prevalence and genetic characteristics of influenza A(H3N2) viruses in the city of Xiangyang in 2022-2023, and to provide a scientific basis for predicting the epidemic and mutation of influenza virus. Methods Throat swab specimens of the influenza like cases were collected from national influenza monitoring sentinel hospitals in Xiangyang every week. RNA was extracted from the specimens for influenza diagnosing using real-time RT-PCR.Viruses were isolated from H3N2 positive specimens, and HA and NA genes were amplified and sequenced.3D modeling analyses were conducted. Results The gene phylogenetic tree showed that the H3N2 isolates in 2022-2023 belonged to 3C.2a1b.2a1 and 3C.2a1b.2a2 branches, respectively. The A(H3N2) influenza virus strains all had amino acid point mutation sites on important antigenic determinants of HA protein. The epitope mutations of the 2022 A(H3N2) strain mainly occurred in regions B, C, and D. The epitope mutations of the A(H3N2) strain in 2023 mainly occurred in regions C and D. Different glycosylation sites of HA gene were found in 2022-2023 strains. No variation was found in key amino acid sites associated with neuraminidase inhibitor resistance. The difference of overall structure was not obvious in the three-dimensional simulation structure diagram. Conclusion The A(H3N2) influenza strains isolated in this study have shown antigenic drift, especially the mutation of HA, which may affect the protective effect of the vaccine on the local population and lead to influenza epidemic. The variations of HA and NA suggest that close attention should be paid to the epidemic and genetic variation of H3N2 subtype influenza virus, to provide a scientific basis for the selection of influenza virus vaccine strains and the prevention and control of influenza.
6.Clinical Characteristics of Stasis-Toxin Pathogenesis in Patients with Non-small Cell Lung Cancer of Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation Syndrome and the Interventional Mechanism of Adjuvant Therapy with Bufei Huayu Decoction
Fang WANG ; Xing-Yi YANG ; Cong SUN ; Shi-Han WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):68-77
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of stasis-toxin pathogenesis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)of blood stasis and qi stagnation type,and to explore the interventional mechanism of adjuvant therapy with Bufei Huayu Decoction.Methods Seventy-eight patients with NSCLC of blood stasis and qi stagnation type admitted to the Department of Respiratory Medicine of Liu'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2021 to September 2022 were selected as the NSCLC group,and 71 volunteers who underwent physical examination during the same period served as the healthy control group.The clinical characteristics of stasis-toxin pathogenesis in the NSCLC group were observed,and the differences in the indicators of coagulation function were compared between NSCLC group and the healthy control group.According to the therapy,the NSCLC patients were divided into Bufei Huayu Decoction group(40 cases)and conventional treatment group(38 cases).The conventional treatment group was treated with conventional chemotherapy,while Bufei Huayu Decoction group was treated with Bufei Huayu Decoction together with conventional chemotherapy.Three weeks constituted one course of treatment,and the treatment lasted for 2 courses.The changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,coagulation function,immune function,serum nitric oxide(NO),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)level in Bufei Huayu Decoction group and conventional treatment group were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the clinical efficacy of the two groups and the occurrence of adverse reactions were compared during the treatment period.Results(1)NSCLC patients were classified into the clinical stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ and the pathological types of squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma,had the high proportion of KPS scores lower than 70,and were scored with high TCM syndrome scores,suggesting that the illness condition of patients with NSCLC was serious.Compared with the healthy control group,plasminogen time(PT)and thrombin time(TT)in NSCLC patients were significantly shortened,and levels of fibrinogen(FIB)and D-dimer(D-D)were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(2)After 6 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate and total stability rate of Bufei Huayu Decoction group were 32.50%(13/40)and 85.00%(34/40),which were significantly superior to those of the conventional treatment group[versus 13.16%(5/38)and 60.53%(23/38)],and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).(3)After 3 weeks of treatment,obvious improvement was presented in the scores of all the TCM symptoms of fatigue,chest distress and shortness of breath,stabbing pain in the chest,and blood stasis in the vessels and collaterals of Bufei Huayu Decoction group and in the scores of the fatigue,chest distress and shortness of breath of the conventional treatment group when compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).After 6 weeks of treatment,all of the TCM syndrome scores of the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment and after three weeks of treatment(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that except for the scores of chest distress and shortness of breath after 3 weeks of treatment,the effect on improving all of the TCM syndrome scores in Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly superior to that in the conventional treatment group after 3 and 6 weeks of treatment(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(4)After 6 weeks of treatment,the levels of coagulation function indicators of PT,TT,FIB and D-D in the Bufei Huayu Decoction group were significantly improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05),while only FIB and D-D in the conventional treatment group were improved compared with those before treatment(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that Bufei Huayu Decoction group had stronger effect on improving the levels of PT,FIB and D-D than the conventional treatment group(P<0.05).(5)After 6 weeks of treatment,the serum NO and VEGF levels in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the effect on lowering serum NO and VEGF levels of the Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly superior to that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(6)After 6 weeks of treatment,the immune function parameters of CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the Bufei Huayu Decoction group were increased(P<0.05)and CD8+level was decreased(P<0.05)as compared with those before treatment,whereas CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the conventional treatment group were decreased(P<0.05)and CD8+ level was increased(P<0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the effect of Bufei Huayu Decoction group on the increase of CD3+,CD4+ levels and CD4+/CD8+ ratio and the effect on the decrease of CD8+ level were significantly superior to those of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(7)In terms of the quality of life,the KPS scores of patients in the two groups after 6 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the effect of Bufei Huayu Decoction group on the increase of KPS scores was significantly superior to that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.01).(8)During the course of treatment,the incidence of adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal reactions and alopecia in the two groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05),while the incidence of hepatic and renal impairment,bone marrow suppression,and toxicity of oral mucosa in Bufei Huayu Decoction group was significantly lower than that of the conventional treatment group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),suggesting that Bufei Huayu Decoction group reduced the adverse reactions induced by chemotherapy to a certain extent.Conclusion Patients with NSCLC of blood stasis and qi stagnation type generally have advanced disease progression and high blood coagulation,which is consistent with the stasis-toxin pathogenesis in TCM.The use of Bufei Huayu Decoction against the stasis-toxin pathogenesis can significantly improve patients'TCM syndrome scores and coagulation function,down-regulate the levels of serum NO and VEGF,and improve the immune function,which brings about the enhancement of clinical efficacy and quality of life,and the reduction of adverse reactions caused by chemotherapy,with a high safety.
7.Application Study of Enzyme Inhibitors and Their Conformational Optimization in The Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Chao-Yang CHU ; Biao XIAO ; Jiang-Hui SHAN ; Shi-Yu CHEN ; Chu-Xia ZHANG ; Yu-Yu ZHOU ; Tian-Yuan FANG ; Zhi-Cheng LIN ; Kai XIE ; Shu-Jun XU ; Li-Ping LI
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(7):1510-1529
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction and behavioral impairment, and there is a lack of effective drugs to treat AD clinically. Existing medications for the treatment of AD, such as Tacrine, Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Aducanumab, only serve to delay symptoms and but not cure disease. To add insult to injury, these medications are associated with very serious adverse effects. Therefore, it is urgent to explore effective therapeutic drugs for AD. Recently, studies have shown that a variety of enzyme inhibitors, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, monoamine oxidase (MAO)inhibitors, secretase inhibitors, can ameliorate cholinergic system dysfunction, Aβ production and deposition, Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress damage, and the decline of synaptic plasticity, thereby improving AD symptoms and cognitive function. Some plant extracts from natural sources, such as Umbelliferone, Aaptamine, Medha Plus, have the ability to inhibit cholinesterase activity and act to improve learning and cognition. Isochromanone derivatives incorporating the donepezil pharmacophore bind to the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) sites of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which can inhibit AChE activity and ameliorate cholinergic system disorders. A compound called Rosmarinic acid which is found in the Lamiaceae can inhibit monoamine oxidase, increase monoamine levels in the brain, and reduce Aβ deposition. Compounds obtained by hybridization of coumarin derivatives and hydroxypyridinones can inhibit MAO-B activity and attenuate oxidative stress damage. Quinoline derivatives which inhibit the activation of AChE and MAO-B can reduce Aβ burden and promote learning and memory of mice. The compound derived from the combination of propargyl and tacrine retains the inhibitory capacity of tacrine towards cholinesterase, and also inhibits the activity of MAO by binding to the FAD cofactor of monoamine oxidase. A series of hybrids, obtained by an amide linker of chromone in combine with the benzylpiperidine moieties of donepezil, have a favorable safety profile of both cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity. Single domain antibodies (such as AAV-VHH) targeted the inhibition of BACE1 can reduce Aβ production and deposition as well as the levels of inflammatory cells, which ultimately improve synaptic plasticity. 3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl maslinic acid from the extract of Ligustrum lucidum can specifically inhibit the activity of γ-secretase, thereby rescuing the long-term potentiation and enhancing synaptic plasticity in APP/PS1 mice. Inhibiting γ-secretase activity which leads to the decline of inflammatory factors (such as IFN-γ, IL-8) not only directly improves the pathology of AD, but also reduces Aβ production. Melatonin reduces the transcriptional expression of GSK-3β mRNA, thereby decreasing the levels of GSK-3β and reducing the phosphorylation induced by GSK-3β. Hydrogen sulfide can inhibitGSK-3β activity via sulfhydration of the Cys218 site of GSK-3β, resulting in the suppression of Tau protein hyperphosphorylation, which ameliorate the motor deficits and cognitive impairment in mice with AD. This article reviews enzyme inhibitors and conformational optimization of enzyme inhibitors targeting the regulation of cholinesterase, monoamine oxidase, secretase, and GSK-3β. We are hoping to provide a comprehensive overview of drug development in the enzyme inhibitors, which may be useful in treating AD.
8.Clinical trial of semaglutide in adults based on the FAERS database
Yi-Ru ZHAO ; Zhen-Wei FANG ; Lin ZHANG ; Xiu-Jin SHI ; Meng-Di ZHANG ; Yang LIN
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(2):264-268
Objective We aim to analyse semaglutide related adverse events in real-world,overall and by gender and age subgroups and compare the differences of different gender and age patients in adverse events,in order to supply references for security usage in the clinic.Methods OpenVigil 2.1 was used to search FDA Adverse Event Reporting System for semaglutide related adverse events from the establishment of the databases to April 2023.According to age and gender,patients were divided into 18-64 years old group and≥65 years old group,male group and female group.We selected ten adverse events which we interested(nausea,diarrhoea,vomiting,pancreatitis,cholecystitis,cholelithiasis,hypoglycaemia,diabetic retinopathy,acute kidney injury and thyroid cancer/medullary thyroid cancer)and analyzed overall and each group of semaglutide adverse events.Results A total of 5 330 cases and 15 558 adverse events were collected.2 935 patients aged 18-64 old group years with 8 553 adverse events;2 395 patients aged≥65 years old group with 7 005 adverse events.2 231 male group patients with 6 195 adverse events;3 059 female group patients with 9 277 adverse events.The sex of 40 patients was unknown.Nausea(1 089 cases/7.00%),vomiting(775 cases/4.98%)and diarrhoea(545 cases/3.50%)remained the most common adverse events.The constituent ratio of pancreatitis was significantly higher in patients aged 18-64 years old group than in patients aged 65 years old group(P<0.05);the constituent ratio of diarrhoeaand cholelithiasis was significantly lower in patients aged 18-64 years old group than patients aged≥65 years old group(P<0.05).The constituent ratio of diarrhoea,vomiting,pancreatitis,cholecystitis,cholelithiasis,diabetic retinopathy,and acute kidney injurywas significantly higher in male group patients than in female group(P<0.05).Conclusion Nausea,diarrhoea and vomiting remined the most common adverse events of semaglutide.Male should be more concerned about gastrointestinal,pancreatitis,gallbladder events,retinopathy and acute kidney injury.Elderly patients should be more alert diarrhoea and cholelithiasis.
9.Study on long-term toxicity of Tripterygium glycosides tablets based on type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis model rats
Tian-Xiang YE ; Ming-Zhu SHI ; Wei-Dong YANG ; Yan-Ming WEI ; Hui-Fang LI ; Sheng-Hui CHENG
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(9):1296-1300
Objective To observe the multi-system toxicity of Tripterygium glycosides tablets in rats with type Ⅱ collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).Methods Healthy SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group and experimental group,with 10 rats in each group.In addition to the normal group,the other groups were established collagen-induced arthritis model.After the first immunization,the normal group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.3%sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution,and the experimental group was given 72 mg·kg-1·d-1 Tripterygium glycosides solution,once a day for 6 weeks.On the 42 nd day,the blood routine of each group was detected and the organ index was calculated.The levels of liver,kidney function and sex hormones in rats were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The histopathological changes of liver,kidney,ovary and testis were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Results The testicular indexes of the normal group,the model group and the experimental group were(0.81±0.05)%,(0.97±0.06)%and(0.81±0.12)%;the estradiol contents were(63.90±16.19),(55.42±7.23)and(40.04±5.97)pg·mL-1;the testosterone contents were(1 290.96±257.94),(1 198.43±190.77)and(912.62±61.72)pg·mL-1,respectively.There were statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the model group and the experimental group(P<0.01,P<0.05).HE pathological results showed that Tripterygium glycosides tablets could cause abnormal histopathological changes of ovary and testis in CIA model rats.Conclusion Continuous administration of 8-fold clinical equivalent dose of Tripterygium glycosides tablets for 6 weeks can cause damage to the reproductive system of CIA rats.
10.Effects of erianin on the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome and its mechanism
Lina FANG ; Yanyi LI ; Chao DONG ; Lili XU ; Zhaosong SHI ; Yuedong LI ; Bo YANG ; Zaichao XU
China Pharmacy 2024;35(11):1339-1344
OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of erianin (ERI) on the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its mechanism. METHODS PCOS rat model was constructed by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone, and the successfully constructed rats were randomly divided into PCOS group, ERI low-dose, medium- dose and high-dose groups (10, 20, 40 mg/kg) and ERI high dose + verteporfin group (40 mg/kg ERI + 10 mg/kg verteporfin), with 10 rats in each group. Another 10 normal rats were selected as the normal group. Rats in each administration group were given corresponding dose of ERI and/or intraperitoneal injection of vitiporfin, and rats in the PCOS group and normal group were orally administered an equal volume of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide, once a day, for 6 consecutive weeks. After administration, the body weight, fasting blood glucose (FPG), serum levels of estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected in each group; morphological changes in ovarian tissue were observed, and the apoptosis of ovarian tissue cells was analyzed. Apoptosis-associated proteins [B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), Caspase-3] and Hippo-YAP signaling pathway associated proteins [large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1), phosphorylated LATS1 (p-LATS1) and Yes associated protein (YAP), phosphorylated YAP (p-YAP), transcriptional co-activator with PDZ binding motif (TAZ)] were detected in ovarian tissue. RESULTS Compared with PCOS group, the ovarian polycystic characteristics of the ERI low-dose, medium-dose,and high-dose groups were reduced, the number of atretic follicles was reduced, and the granulosa cell layer was thickened; the body mass, FPG, T, LH, LH/FSH, the number of cystic follicles, cell apoptosis index, protein expressions of Bax, Caspase-3, p-LATS1 and p-YAP were greatly decreased (P<0.05); the number of corpus luteum, protein expressions of E2, Bcl-2, LATS1, YAP and TAZ were greatly increased (P<0.05). Compared with ERI high-dose group, the above indexes in ERI high-dose + vitiporfin group were inhibited (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS ERI can promote the proliferation of ovarian granulosa cells and improve the level of sex hormones in PCOS rats, and its mechanism of action may be related to the inhibition of the Hippo-YAP signaling pathway.


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