ObjectiveThe study explores the influence of voluntary wheel running on the behavioral abnormalities and the activation state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rats through gut microbiota. MethodsSD female rats were selected and administered either400 mg/kg of valproic acid (VPA) solution or an equivalent volume of saline via intraperitoneal injection on day 12.5 of pregnancy. The resulting offspring were divided into 2 groups: the ASD model group (PASD, n=35) and the normal control group (PCON, n=16). Behavioral assessments, including the three-chamber social test, open field test, and Morris water maze, were conducted on postnatal day 23. After behavioral testing, 8 rats from each group (PCON, PASD) were randomly selected for serum analysis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) concentration, to evaluate the functional state of the HPA axis in rats. On postnatal day 28, the remaining 8 rats in the PCON group were designated as the control group (CON, n=8), and the remaining 27 rats in the PASD group were randomly divided into 4 groups: ASD non-intervention group (ASD, n=6), ASD exercise group (ASDE, n=8), ASD fecal microbiota transplantation group (FMT, n=8), and ASD sham fecal microbiota transplantation group (sFMT, n=5). The rats in the ASD group and the CON group were kept under standard conditions, while the rats in the ASDE group performed 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running intervention starting on postnatal day 28. The rats in the FMT group were gavaged daily from postnatal day 42 with 1 ml/100 g fresh fecal suspension from ASDE rats which had undergone exercise for 2 weeks, 5 d per week, continuing for 4 weeks. The sFMT group received an equivalent volume of saline. After the interventions were completed, behavioral assessments and HPA axis markers were measured for all groups. ResultsBefore the intervention, the ASD model group exhibited significantly reduced social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, and exploratory interest, as well as impaired spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to the normal control group (P<0.05). Serum concentration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) in the PASD group were significantly higher than those in the PCON group (P<0.05). Following 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running, the ASDE group showed significant improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, spatial learning, memory, and navigation skills compared to the ASD group (P<0.05), with a significant decrease in serum CORT concentration (P<0.05), and a downward trend in CRH and ACTH concentration. After 4 weeks of fecal microbiota transplantation in the exercise group, the FMT group showed marked improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, as well as spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to both the ASD and sFMT groups (P<0.05). In addition, serum ACTH and CORT concentration were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and CRH concentration also showed a decreasing trend. ConclusionExercise may improve ASD-related behaviors by suppressing the activation of the HPA axis, with the gut microbiota likely playing a crucial role in this process.

Objective To observe the intervention effect of hypericin(HYP)on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease(PD)mice model and its mechanism.Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal,model and experimental groups with 10 mice per group.PD mouse model was established after 7 days of intraperitoneal injection of MPTP,and drug intervention was carried out from the first day of modeling.Normal group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with 500 μL·kg·d-1 0.9％NaCl.The experimental group was intraperitoneally injected with 25 mg·kg·d-1 HYP.The three groups of rats were given the drug once each time for 14 days.The expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH),Nod-like receptor thermal protein domain protein 3(NLRP3)and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1(Iba1)in the striatum of nigra were detected by Western blot.Results The climbing time of normal,model and experimental groups was(5.35±0.43),(9.71±1.19)and(8.07±0.34)s;suspension scores were(2.92±0.15),(1.38±0.28)and(1.96±0.28)points;the relative expression levels of TH protein were 1.04±0.06,0.51±0.09 and 0.75±0.07;the relative expression levels of NLRP3 protein were 0.51±0.03,1.00±0.04 and 0.77±0.06;the relative expression levels of Iba1 protein were 0.68±0.10,1.30±0.28 and 0.89±0.05,respectively.The above indexes in the model group were statistically significant compared with the experimental group and the normal group(all P＜0.01).Conclusion HYP plays a therapeutic role in PD by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in PD mice.

Objective To carry out rigid-body inverse dynamics modelling and analysis of a self-designed 6RSS parallel bio-inspired masticatory robot.Methods Firstly,the functions of kinematic variables including translational/rotational velocities and accelerations were derived for rigid-body inverse dynamics modelling.Secondly,the rigid-body inverse dynamics model was established with the Newton-Euler's law.Finally,the chewing motion trajectories of the oral health volunteers were tracked and numerical calculations were carried out in the case where the robot was subjected to a chewing reaction force.Results Numerical calculations showed that the driving torque and the constraint force of the robot peaked when the chewing reaction force was at its maximum.Conclusion The external force has a large impact on the inverse dynamics of the robot,and theoretical references are provided for the motion control and optimal design of the robot.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):16-22]

Objective To observe the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Pill(WYP)on motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease(PD)and to explore its potential mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and WYP group,with 8 mice in each group.Mice in model and WYP group were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine for 7 consecutive days to establish a PD model.From the 1st day of model preparation,mice in WYP group were gavaged with WYP solution[16 g/(kg·d)]twice daily for 14 consecutive days.At the same time,mice in control group and model group were gavaged with 0.9%NaCl solution[50 ml/(kg·d)]twice a day.Gait experiment was utilized to assess the behavioral performance of mice in each group.Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive cells in the substantia nigra region,the fluorescence intensity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and the number of NeuN neurons co-labeled with Nrf2 in each group.Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of TH,Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap-1),Nrf2,and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in the brain tissue of mice in each group.Results The gait experiment results showed that,compared with control group,standing time of the left front paw,right front paw,left hind paw,and right hind paw of the mice in model group was significantly shortened(P<0.01),while swinging time of the left front paw,right front paw,left hind paw,and right hind paw was significantly prolonged(P<0.05).Compared with model group,standing time of the left front paw and right hind paw of the mice in WYP group was significantly prolonged(P<0.05),while swing time of the left front paw and right front paw was significantly shortened(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting results showed that,compared with control group,in model group the number of TH-positive cells,average fluorescence intensity of Nrf2,and HO-1 levels decreased(P<0.01),while the Keap-1 protein level increased(P<0.01),and the number of Nrf2 expression on NeuN neurons decreased(P<0.001).Compared with model group,the number of TH-positive cells,average fluorescence intensity of Nrf2,HO-1 level,and the number of Nrf2 expression on NeuN neurons in the brain tissue of mice in WYP group increased(P<0.05),while Keap-1 protein level decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions WYP could alleviate the motor dysfunction and protect dopaminergic neurons in PD mice.The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress response.

Aim To explore the protective effect of an-thocyanin B2(PCB2)on hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in human oli-godendrocytes(MO3.13)and the underlying mecha-nism.Methods The optimal concentration of H2O2 and PCB2 for action was screened,and divided into normal group,PCB2 group(100 mg·L-1 PCB2 treat-ment for 24 hours),H2 O2 model group(500 μmol·L-1 H2O2 treatment for 24 hours),and H2O2+PCB2 group(500 μmol·L-1 H2O2 and 100 mg·L-1 PCB2 co-treated for 24 hours).FRAP method was used to detect the antioxidant capacity of PCB2;CCK-8 meth-od was used to detect the survival rate of cells in each group,while LDH method was used to assess cytotoxic-ity.Microenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ELISA were used to examine the levels of LDH,NO,H2O2,as well as the activities of CAT and SOD in each group of cells.Immunofluorescence and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of NRF2,xCT,HO-1,ferritin,and GPX4 in each group of cells.FerroOrange fluorescent probe was used to de-tect the intracellular content of ferrous ions(Fe2+).Results H2O2 could induce MO3.13 oxidative dam-age and lead to cell ferroptosis,while PCB2 could alle-viate MO3.13 oxidative damage and ferroptosis.Com-pared with the H2O2 model group,PCB2 intervention could significantly increase LDH content in MO3.13,reduce NO and H2O2 content,and improve SOD and CAT activity,and up-regulate the protein expression levels of NRF2,xCT,HO-1,ferritin,and GPX4.Conclusion PCB2 can enhance cellular antioxidant capacity and alleviate H2O2 induced MO3.13 oxidative damage through the NRF2/HO-1/xCT/GPX4 axis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sertraline hydrochloride combined with compound chamomile lidocaine gel in the treatment of premature ejaculation(PE).Methods:We selected 80 cases of PE treated in our hospital from June 2021 to May 2023 and equally randomized them into a control and an observation group,the former medicated with compound chamomile lidocaine gel while the latter with sertraline hydrochloride in addition,both for 6 weeks.We recorded and compared the intravaginal ejaculation latency time(IELT),the number of successful sexual intercourses per week,the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool(PEDT)scores,and the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of patients.Results:After the treatment,the IELT was signif-icantly longer([5.39±1.17]vs[2.49±0.73]min,P＜0.05),the weekly number of successful sexual intercourses remarkably higher(1.82±0.45 vs 0.93±0.19,P＜0.05)and the PEDT scores markedly lower(7.42±2.04 vs 9.85±2.36,P＜0.05)in the observation than in the control group,but no statistically significant differences were observed in the baseline PEDT scores or the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Sertraline hydrochloride combined with com-pound chamomile lidocaine gel is definitely effective in the treatment of PE,which can significantly improve the patients'quality of sexual life,with a high safety and low incidence of adverse reactions.

Ten dimeric phthalide racemates (1-10) were isolated from an aqueous extract of the Angelica sinensis root head (Guitou) by separation techniques of column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20, together with preparative thin-layer chromatography and reversed phase HPLC. The racemates were further separated into (+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-10 with chiral HPLC. Their structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, combined with electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations as well as single crystal X-ray diffractions. Compounds (+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-10 are either new structure or new natural product, named (+)-/(-)-angelidipthalidic acids A-H [(+)-/(-)-1-(+)-/(-)-8] and (+)-/(-)-angelidipthalidols A and B [(+)-/(-)-9 and (+)-/(-)-10], respectively. Meanwhile, dimeric phthalide mono- and bis-lactone derivatives with 3.3′a,8.6′- and 3.6′,8.3′a-coupling patterns as well as determination of their relative configurations are discussed.

This study aims to explore the neuroprotective effect of bilobalide(BB) and the mechanisms such as inhibiting inflammatory response in macrophage/microglia, promoting neurotrophic factor secretion, and interfering with the activation and differentiation of peripheral CD4~+ T cells. BB of different concentration(12.5, 25, 50, 100 μg·mL~(-1)) was used to treat the RAW264.7 and BV2 cells for 24 h. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) were employed to detect the cytotoxicity of BB and appropriate concentration was selected for further experiment. Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was applied to elicit inflammation in RAW264.7 and BV2 cells, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs), and primary microglia, respectively. The effect of BB on cell proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines and neurotrophic factors was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Spleen monocytes of C57BL/6 female mice(7-8 weeks old) were isolated, and CD4~+ T cells were separated by magnetic beads under sterile conditions. Th17 cells were induced by CD3/CD28 and the conditioned medium for eliciting the inflammation in BMDMs. The content of IL-17 cytokines in the supernatant was detected by ELISA to determine the effect on the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells. In addition, PC12 cells were incubated with the conditioned medium for eliciting inflammation in BMDMs and primary microglia and the count and morphology of cells were observed. The cytoto-xicity was determined by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) assay. The result showed that BB with the concentration of 12.5-100 μg·mL~(-1) had no toxicity to RAW264.7 and BV2 cells, and had no significant effect on the activity of cell model with low inflammation. The 50 μg·mL~(-1) BB was selected for further experiment, and the results indicated that BB inhibited LPS-induced secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The experiment on CD4~+ T cells showed that the conditioned medium for LPS-induced inflammation in BMDMs promoted the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells, while the conditioned medium of the experimental group with BB intervention reduced the activation and differentiation of CD4~+ T cells. In addition, BB also enhanced the release of neurotrophic factors from BMDMs and primary microglia. The conditioned medium after BB intervention can significantly reduce the death of PC12 neurons, inhibit neuronal damage, and protect neurons. To sum up, BB plays a neuroprotective role by inhibiting macrophage and microglia-mediated inflammatory response and promoting neurotrophic factors.
Female ; Rats ; Mice ; Animals ; Bilobalides/pharmacology* ; Neuroprotection ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Microglia ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Nerve Growth Factors/pharmacology* ; Inflammation/metabolism*

Twelve compounds, including 5 new monoterpenes and 7 known derivatives, were isolated from a water decoction of Monochasma savatieri by column chromatography over macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, and HW-40C, combined with preparative TLC, reversed phase HPLC, and flash column chromatographic techniques. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, along with enzymatic hydrolysis as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and NMR calculations, the new structures named monochaside I (1) and monochairidols A-D (2-5), respectively. The known compounds 6-12 were obtained from the Monochasma plants for the first time.

Osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disease, and cartilage damage is often considered an early factor in irreversible joint degeneration. Repairing damaged cartilage remains a medical challenge due to its limited ability to self-repair and regenerate. In recent years, the application of tissue engineering strategies to treat cartilage defects has been recognized as an emerging therapeutic avenue. Acellular cartilage matrix (ACM) is an ideal material for cartilage repair and regeneration as it retains the extracellular matrix structure and bioactive components of natural cartilage, mimicking the extracellular environment of natural cartilage to the greatest extent. Type II collagen is the main type of hyaline cartilage and plays an important role in regulating the mechanical properties of cartilage tissue. It has been shown that type II collagen, growth factors and the hypoxic microenvironment play important roles in promoting cartilage regeneration. Type II collagen induces cell aggregation and chondrogenic differentiation in a specific way; Various growth factors contained in the ACM induce Sox9 expression and promote chondrogenic differentiation of stem cells; The hypoxic microenvironment upregulates the expression of type II collagen (COL2A1), Sox9 and maintains chondrocyte phenotype. In addition, ACM has been widely used in cartilage regeneration studies, either as a decellularized scaffold, hydrogel or 3D bioprinting technique for the repair of defective cartilage. Although the ACM-derived biomaterials discussed in this paper have many advantages, there are still some difficulties in their practical applications, such as loss of ACM components and reduced scaffold performance, which are still worth exploring in depth.