Lactate, with a chemical formula of C₃H₆O₃, is an intermediate product of glucose metabolism in the body and a raw material for hepatic gluconeogenesis. Under physiological resting conditions, the body mainly relies on aerobic oxidation of sugar and fat for energy supply, so the blood lactate concentration is lower. However, during exercise, the enhanced glycolysis in skeletal muscles leads to the significant release of lactate into the bloodstream, causing a marked increase in blood lactate concentration. Traditionally, lactate has been regarded as a metabolic waste product of glycolysis and a contributor to exercise-induced fatigue. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed that, in humans, lactate is a major vehicle for carbohydrate carbon distribution and metabolism, serving not only as an energy substance alongside glucose but also as a vital component in various biological pathways involved in cardiac energetics, muscle adaptation, brain function, growth and development, and inflammation therapy. Two primary pathways can elevate lactate levels in neurons during exercise. One is peripheral skeletal muscle-derived lactate, which can enter the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier into the brain with the assistance of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) from the solute carrier family 16 (SLC16). The other is the central brain-derived pathway. During exercise, neuronal activity is enhanced, promoting the secretion of neuroactive substances such as glutamate, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. This activates astrocytes to break down glycogen into lactate and stimulates glutamate from the presynaptic terminal into the synaptic cleft. It upregulates the glucose transport protein-1 (GLUT-1) expression, allowing astrocytes to convert glucose into lactate through glycolysis. The lactate is produced via peripheral pathways and central pathways during exercise are transported by astrocyte membrane monocarboxylate transporters MCT1 and MCT4 to the extracellular space, where neurons take it up through neuronal cell membrane MCT2. The lactate in neurons can serve as an alternative energy source of glucose for neuronal functional activities, meeting the increased energy demands of synaptic activity during exercise, and maintaining energy balance and normal physiological function in the brain. Additionally, acting as a signaling molecule lactate can enhance synaptic plasticity through the SIRT1/PGC-1α/FNDC5 and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, lactate can promote angiogenesis by upregulating VEGF-A expression through the PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, stimulate neurogenesis via the Akt/PKB signaling pathway, and reduce neuroinflammation through activation of the “lactate timer”. Overall, lactate contributes to the protection of neurons, the promotion of learning and memory, the enhancement of synaptic plasticity, and the reduction of neuroinflammation in the nervous system. While lactate may serve as a potential mediator for information exchange between the peripheral and central nervous systems during exercise, further experimental research is needed to elucidate its action mechanisms in the nervous system. In addition, future studies should utilize advanced neurophysiological and molecular biology techniques to uncover the importance of lactate in maintaining brain function and preventing neurological diseases. Accordingly, this article first reviews the historical research on lactate, then summarizes the metabolic characteristics and neuronal sources of lactate, and finally explores the role and mechanisms of exercise-induced lactate in the nervous system, aiming to provide new perspectives and targets for understanding the mechanisms underlying exercise promotion of brain health.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets on rats with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer(PLGC).Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into the normal group,the model group,the folic acid group and the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group,with 10 rats in each group.In addition to the normal group,the other three groups of rats were prepared by gavage with Ranitidine Aqueous Solution combined with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine(MNNG)solution drinking method for the preparation of PLGC model.After successful modeling,drugs were administered accordingly for 7 weeks.The changes in body mass of rats during modeling and drug administration were recorded,the gross view of the stomach was observed and scored pathologically,the coefficients of spleen and liver were determined,the pathological changes in gastric tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure serum gastrin(GAS),motilin(MTL)and glucagon(GC),Alisin Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff's(AB-PAS)staining was used to observe the thickness of the mucosal layer of gastric tissues,the expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt),phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt),and endothelial-type nitric oxide synthase(eNOS)proteins in gastric tissues were detected by protein immunoblotting(Western Blot),and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA)protein in gastric tissues was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the body mass of rats in the model group grew slowly during the experimental period,gastric macroscopic pathological scores were significantly increased(P＜0.01),splenic coefficient and hepatic coefficient were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the gastric tissues showed cuprocyte hyperplasia and intestinal chemotaxis,gastric tissues'inflammation scores were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the serum GAS content was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the MTL,GC contents were significantly reduced(P＜0.05),and the thickness of the mucous membrane layer of gastric tissue was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),the protein expression levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and eNOS were reduced(P＜0.01),and the protein expression level of VEGFA was reduced(P＜0.01);compared with the model group,the above indexes of the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group and the folic acid group were all significantly improved(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),among which,the Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets group had a better improvement effect in the proliferation of cup cells and intestinal chemotaxis in gastric tissues,the content of serum GAS,and the thickness of the mucous layer in gastric tissues.Conclusion The mechanism of the improvement of PLGC in rats by Jianwei Xiaozhang Tablets may be related to the activation of the PI3K-Akt-eNOS pathway,which in turn promotes the angiogenesis and repair of gastric damaged tissues.

Objective To observe the regulatory mechanism of drug-containing serum of Jinghou Zengzhi Prescription based on qi and blood replenishing method on the expression of growth and differentiation factor 9(GDF9)and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH).Methods Serum of COH rats(blank serum)and serum of COH rats gavaged by the Jinghou Zengzhi Prescription were prepared.A COH rat model was established and ovarian granulosa cells were collected.The experiment was divided into 5 groups:blank serum group,drug-containing serum group,drug-containing serum+SB203580[p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38MAPK)inhibitor]group,drug-containing serum + PDTC[nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB)inhibitor]group,drug-containing serum + SB203580 + PDTC group.The mRNA expression levels of p38MAPK,casein kinase 2(CK2),nuclear transcription factor κB inhibitor α(IκBα),NF-κB and GDF9 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and GDF9 protein expression level was detected by Western Blot,and ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis was detected by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL).Results The drug-containing serum of Jinghou Zengzhi Prescription decreased the mRNA expressions of p38MAPK and NF-κB,elevated the mRNA expressions of CK2 and IκBα,increased the mRNA and protein expression levels of GDF9,and decreased the apoptosis rate of ovarian granulosa cells in COH rats.The addition of p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 alone and the addition of NF-κB inhibitor PDTC alone both promoted the mRNA and protein expressions of GDF9 and reduced the apoptosis rate of granulosa cells.Conclusion The drug-containing serum of Jinghou Zengzhi Prescription based on qi and blood replenishing method can promote the expression of GDF9 and inhibit the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rats with COH,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the expression of genes of the dual signaling pathways of p38MAPK and NF-κB.

Humans ; Myocarditis/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocardium ; Giant Cells

Objective:To explore whether multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) combined with 68Ga-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT can improve the detection efficiency of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Methods:Clinical and imaging data of 152 patients (age (68.5±8.5) years) who underwent mpMRI and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT examination for suspected prostate cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University from January 2021 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, with the histopathological results from transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy as reference. Lesions with Gleason scores (GS) ≥3+ 4 from the biopsy were diagnosed with csPCa, and lesions with negative biopsy or GS 6 were diagnosed with non-csPCa. MpMRI was evaluated independently by two radiologists according to the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 2.1. The radioactive uptake of 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in prostate lesions was evaluated by SUV max. The independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare differences between the two groups, and then multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. ROC curves analysis was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacies of individual and combined factors and Delong test was used. Results:There were 85 csPCa and 67 non-csPCa confirmed. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), PI-RADS score and SUV max were significantly different between the csPCa group and the non-csPCa group ( χ2=68.06, U values: -7.66, -8.98, all P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that PI-RADS score (odds ratio ( OR)=3.424, 95% CI: 1.651-7.100) and SUV max ( OR=1.931, 95% CI: 1.403-2.658) were independent predictors of csPCa (both P<0.001). ROC curves analysis revealed that the cut-off value for diagnosing csPCa was 4 for PI-RADS score and 5.6 for SUV max. The accuracy of mpMRI and PET/CT alone in csPCa diagnosis was 80%(122/152) (AUC of 0.789(95% CI: 0.711-0.866) with the sensitivity and specificity of 91%(77/85) and 67%(45/67)), and 87%(132/152) (AUC of 0.876(95% CI: 0.817-0.936) with the sensitivity and specificity of 81%(69/85) and 94%(63/67)), respectively. Several joint models incorporating 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT with mpMRI data were investigated, the model of PI-RADS 5 or PI-RADS 3-4 and SUV max>5.6 showed better performance than mpMRI and PET/CT alone and other joint models ( z values: 2.01-3.64, all P<0.05), with the accuracy of 91%(138/152) (AUC of 0.910(95% CI: 0.857-0.962) with the sensitivity and specificity of 89%(76/85) and 93%(62/67)). Conclusion:MpMRI combined with 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT can significantly improve the detection efficiency of csPCa, with the principal effect being improved in risk stratification of PI-RADS 3-4 lesions in mpMRI.

Licorice-gypsum (gancao-shigao, GC-SG) drug pair was used as the research object, using supramolecular chemistry to explore the scientific connotation of combining herbal medicine GC with insoluble mineral medicine SG in clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine. ① The Tyndall effect, microscopic morphology and particle size of the single and co-decocted of GC and SG were observed, the paste content and conductivity were determined, and the interaction between GC and SG was detected by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR). ② Calcium chloride (CaCl₂), a soluble calcium salt of equal gypsum quality, was used instead of SG with GC for co-decocting to explore the effect of calcium salt content on the water decocting, and the characteristics were combined with the Tyndall effect, microscopic morphology, paste content and conductivity. ITC and IR techniques were used to detect the interaction between the two, and the interaction between them was detected by ITC and IR. The zeta potential and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) of GC-SG and GC-CaCl₂ co-decoction were compared, and the inorganic and organic components in the co-decoction were detected by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed: ① Compared with the liquid phase of single decoction, GC-SG co-decoction had more obvious Tyndall effect, and showed uniform spherical nanoparticles under electron microscope. Physical characterization results such as paste content and conductivity showed that co-decoction promoted the dissolution of each other's components; ITC and IR results showed that there was strong interaction between GC and SG, which preliminatively indicated that GC and SG co-decoction promoted the formation of uniform and stable supramolecular system of traditional Chinese medicine. ② When soluble calcium salt was used to substitute insoluble SG with GC for co-decocting, a stronger but astigmatic light path appeared than single decocting solution, the zeta potential was reduced, and a large number of accumulated polymers were formed. The results of paste content and conductivity showed that the dissolution of the co-decocting component was reduced than the single decocting component. ITC, UV-vis and IR results showed that there was interaction between GC with Ca²⁺ and SG. The formation of polysink indicated that a large amount of soluble calcium salt would destroy the stability of supramolecular Chinese medicine. The results of ICP-OES and HPLC showed that the glycyrrhizic acid (GA) content of the former lower than the latter, which was related to the formation of a large number of polycondensates with the increase of Ca²⁺ concentration and the decrease of the dissolution of GA and other active ingredients. This study indicates that the compatibility of GC and SG can form a uniform and stable supramolecular system of traditional Chinese medicine. Calcium salt, the main component of SG, is taken as the starting point. Excessive soluble Ca²⁺ can promote the aggregation of active ingredients such as GA, so as to reveal the scientific connotation of the compatibility of GC and SG, an insoluble mineral medicine.

BACKGROUND:Studies have exhibited that inhibiting apoptosis caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress can save part of nerve function.Epigallocatechin-3-gallate can inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress,but it has poor bioavailability and is difficult to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.In combination with exosomes targeting spinal cord repair and high-potency drug loading,theoretically,the combination of the two can play a greater role in spinal cord protection. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes on endoplasmic reticulum stress and neurological function in rats with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury. METHODS:Fifty SD male rats were randomly divided into sham surgery group,model group,epigallocatechin-3-gallate group,exosome group,and combined treatment group,with 10 rats in each group.The spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury model was made in the other four groups except for the sham surgery group.Local injection of physiological saline,exosomes,epigallocatechin-3-gallate,epigallocatechin-3-gallate + bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosomes was performed 2 hours after surgery through a caudal vein.Neurological function scores were performed on 7,14 and 28 days after spinal cord injury.14 days after spinal cord injury,hematoxylin-eosin staining,Nissl staining,and immunofluorescence staining of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers such as ATF6 and GADD153 were performed in the spinal cord tissues. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham surgery group,neurological function scores of the model group,exosome group,epigallocatechin-3-gallate group and combined treatment group all decreased to different degrees.The neurological function score of combined treatment group was better than that of the epigallocatechin-3-gallate group,exosome group and model group 14 days after surgery(P<0.05).The neurological function score of the combined treatment group was better than that of the model group and epigallocatechin-3-gallate group 28 days after surgery(P<0.05).(2)Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining displayed that the number of neurons in the model group decreased,with a large number of cavity necrosis and scar hyperplasia in the spinal cord injury area.The number of neurons and peripheral cavity necrosis improved to varying degrees in the epigallocatechin-3-gallate group,exosome group,and combined treatment group,with the most significant improvement in the combined treatment group.(3)The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins ATF6 and GADD153:14 days postoperatively,the expression of GADD153 in the combined treatment group was lower than that in the model group and epigallocatechin-3-gallate group(P<0.05),and the expression of ATF6 in the combined treatment group was lower than that in the model group,exosome group,and epigallocatechin-3-gallate group(P<0.05).(4)These findings confirm that epigallocatechin-3-gallate combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosome can enhance the neurological function in rats with spinal cord ischemia/reperfusionn injury,which may be associated with the inhibition of the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins ATF6 and GADD153.

Objective To compare the prevention and control effects of binocular myopia after wearing orthokeratology lenses or glasses for correction in adolescents with low-to-moderate unilateral myopia.Methods The clinical data of 46 adolescents with unilateral myopia treated in First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were retrospectively analyzed,the patients were divided into the orthokeratology lenses group and spectacles group according to the correction methods,with 23 cases in each group.The axial length(AL),changes in spherical diopter(SD)and anisometropia between the myopic eye and the control eye with orthokeratology lenses spectacles for unilateral myopia correction,and orthokeratology lenses for unilateral and binocular myopia were compared.Results There was no significant difference in baseline AL,SD or anisometropia between the two groups(P>0.05).One year after unilateral myopia correction,the increase of SD for the myopic eye in the orthokeratology lenses group was less than that in the spectacles group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the AL elongation of myopic eyes between the two groups(P>0.05);the elongation of AL for the control eyes in the orthokeratology lenses group was more than that in the spectacles group;the increase of SD for the myopic eyes in the orthokeratology lens group was lower than that in the spectacles group(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference in the increase of SD for the control eyes between the two groups(P>0.05);the anisometropia of patients in the orthokeratology lenses group was less than that in the spectacles group(P<0.05).The biological parameters of the eyes before and after wearing orthokeratology lenses in the patients with monocular and binocular myopia in the orthokeratology lens group were compared,the elongation of AL for the myopic eyes with lens in one eye was less than that with lenses in both eyes(P<0.05),and the elongation of AL for the control eye was more than that with lenses in both eyes(P<0.05),the increases of SD in both myopic eyes and control eyes were more than those with lenses in both eyes(P<0.05),and the anisotropia was more than that with lenses in both eyes(P<0.05).Conclusion Orthokeratology lenses is better than spectacles in controlling the increase of myopia in low-to-moderate unilateral myopia,which can reduce anisometropia between eyes.However,the AL of the emmetropic eye increases rapidly during unilateral myopia correction by orthokeratology lenses,and the progression of binocular myopia can be significantly delayed after wearing orthokeratology lenses.

Humans ; Myocarditis/diagnostic imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myocardium ; Giant Cells

Malocclusion,identified by the World Health Organization(WHO)as one of three major oral diseases,profoundly impacts the dental-maxillofacial functions,facial esthetics,and long-term development of～260 million children in China.Beyond its physical manifestations,malocclusion also significantly influences the psycho-social well-being of these children.Timely intervention in malocclusion can foster an environment conducive to dental-maxillofacial development and substantially decrease the incidence of malocclusion or reduce the severity and complexity of malocclusion in the permanent dentition,by mitigating the negative impact of abnormal environmental influences on the growth.Early orthodontic treatment encompasses accurate identification and treatment of dental and maxillofacial morphological and functional abnormalities during various stages of dental-maxillofacial development,ranging from fetal stages to the early permanent dentition phase.From an economic and societal standpoint,the urgency for effective early orthodontic treatments for malocclusions in childhood cannot be overstated,underlining its profound practical and social importance.This consensus paper discusses the characteristics and the detrimental effects of malocclusion in children,emphasizing critical need for early treatment.It elaborates on corresponding core principles and fundamental approaches in early orthodontics,proposing comprehensive guidance for preventive and interceptive orthodontic treatment,serving as a reference for clinicians engaged in early orthodontic treatment.