1.Effects of Exercise Training on The Behaviors and HPA Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder Rats Through The Gut Microbiota
Xue-Mei CHEN ; Yin-Hua LI ; Jiu-Gen ZHONG ; Zhao-Ming YANG ; Xiao-Hui HOU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(6):1511-1528
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.
2.Study on the Effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills on Regulating the Antigen Cross-Presenting Ability of Dendritic Cells by Interfering with Gap Junctional Communication Function
Yue SONG ; Man-Si XU ; Xue-Ying ZHONG ; Wen-Jing ZHANG ; Xiao-Yi CHEN ; Biao-Yan DU ; Jian-Yong XIAO ; Kun WANG
Journal of Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2024;41(1):169-177
Objective To investigate whether Liuwei Dihuang Pills enhances the antigen cross-presenting ability of dendritic cell(DC)by increasing gap junctional intercellular communication(GJIC),and to explore the mechanisms involved.Methods Western Blot and immunofluorescence were used to observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum on the expression and membrane localisation of gap junction protein connexin43(Cx43)in mouse melanoma cells(B16);Calcein-AM/DiI fluorescence tracer assay was used to observe the effects of Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum on the function of GJIC in B16 cells;flow cytometry was used to observe the role of GJIC in the enhancement of DC antigen presenting ability by Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum;and propidium iodide(PI)/Hoechst staining assay was used to observe the immunocidal effect of CD8+ T-lymphocytes.Results Western Blot and immunofluorescence experiments showed that Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum led to the up-regulation of Cx43 expression;fluorescence tracer experiments proved that the GJIC function of B16 cells was significantly enhanced by Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum;flow cytometry analyses showed that the DC antigen-presenting ability was enhanced by Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum;and the results of PI/Hoechst staining showed that the immuno-killing effect of CD8+T-cells was more significant after the intervention of Liuwei Dihuang Pills-containing serum in B16-OVA.Conclusion Liuwei Dihuang Pills improve the GJIC function by up-regulating the Cx43 expression of melanoma cells,and then enhance the cross-presenting ability of DCs thus activating stronger CD8+ T-cell immunocidal responses.
3.Possible mechanisms of multi-pathway biological effects of laser therapy for knee osteoarthritis
Xinqi LOU ; Hao ZHONG ; Xiyu WANG ; Haoyu FENG ; Pengcui LI ; Xiaochun WEI ; Yanqin WANG ; Xiaogang WU ; Weiyi CHEN ; Yanru XUE
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(34):5521-5527
BACKGROUND:Laser therapy is a non-invasive and painless treatment that is considered to be an effective method suitable for the treatment of osteoarthritis due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature.Currently,the mechanism of action of laser therapy is unclear and the results of studies on its clinical application are controversial. OBJECTIVE:To review and summarize the latest research progress of laser therapy on chondrocytes,animal experiments and clinical efficacy,and to explore the possible mechanism of laser-mediated multi-pathway biological effects,so as to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the laser treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint. METHODS:A literature search was performed in CNKI,WanFang Data,VIP and PubMed databases for relevant literature published from 2018 to 2023,with"laser therapy,low level laser therapy,high level laser therapy,photobiomodulation,knee osteoarthritis,chondrocytes"as the search terms in Chinese and English,respectively.Together with 14 articles searched manually,70 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Laser therapy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis is mainly categorized into two types:low-level laser therapy and high-level laser therapy.Differences in laser parameters and treatment protocols have a direct impact on laser efficacy.When appropriate parameters are used,low-level lasers show positive effects in cellular experiments,animal models,and clinical efficacy.High-level lasers have been less studied in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but some preliminary clinical studies have shown positive results.Cell experiments have shown that low-level laser promotes chondrocyte proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis,thereby reducing inflammatory response.Animal experiments have shown that low-level laser can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors,promote cartilage matrix synthesis,inhibit matrix degradation,and effectively improve the repair process of cartilage tissue.Low-level laser is also able to reduce oxidative stress damage and relieve pain in knee osteoarthritis.In clinical trials,both low-and high-level laser can reduce patients'pain and improve functional activities.The combination of laser therapy and exercise therapy modalities may improve the therapeutic effect.Lasers may affect intracellular signaling and cellular functions through photobiological or thermodynamic effects.This provides direct evidence that laser promotes articular cartilage regeneration.
4.Application of sacubitril/valsartan in patients with chronic kidney disease
Yi HE ; Hui ZHONG ; Hen XUE ; Youqin YANG ; Min ZHAO ; Xiaodong CHANG ; Maoli CHEN ; Ping FU
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2024;40(1):67-73
As a new strategy for the application of sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) in patients with CKD, much evidence showed that it improved the prognosis of patients with CKD. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in physiology, pathology, pharmacology and clinical application by searching Wanfang, CNKI, PubMed and other databases for related articles on the application of sacubitril/valsartan in CKD patients. Although LBQ657, the active product of sacubitril, has a high drug accumulation in patients with moderate, severe renal injury, and ESRD, it is not cleared in hemodialysis, and has very little eliminated in peritoneal dialysis, which does not affect its safety. Compared with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker drugs, LCZ696 could increase the blood pressure control rate, improve cardiac function, slow down the decline of glomerular filtration rate, and significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes without more adverse events. Sacubitril/valsartan can be used in all levels of CKD patients complicated with hypertension and/or heart failure, with reliable safety and tolerance.
5.Expert opinions on operation rules of Morita therapy outpatient service
Jiangbo LI ; Zucheng WANG ; Yuhua CUI ; Yingzhi LU ; Weijie QU ; Haiyin ZHANG ; Fuqiang MAO ; Fengqing QIE ; Wanghong SHI ; Qinfeng ZHANG ; Lingyi PAN ; Ling ZHANG ; Jianzhong LI ; Guangcheng CUI ; Tongxian CHEN ; Xiuqing MA ; Wei RONG ; Jianjun ZHANG ; Qingfang ZHONG ; Yanchi ZHANG ; Boquan ZHANG ; Xinrui WANG ; Wenyou MA ; Qingtao REN ; Yongfa JING ; Huanzhong LIU ; Zhenjian YU ; Laitian ZHAO ; Tianming HAN ; Xue HAN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(1):68-72
Morita therapy has been bom for more than 100 years.Inpatient Morita therapy is highly oper-able and easy to master.It can improve many refractory neuroses through four-stage treatment.But more neuroses are treated in outpatient clinics,and Morita therapy cannot be used in hospitalized patients.Therefore,the formula-tion of expert opinions on outpatient operations is particularly important.This paper is based on domestic and for-eign references,and after many discussions by domestic Morita therapy experts,and then drew up the first version of the expert opinions on operation of outpatient Morita therapy.Meanwhile the operation rule of Morita therapy in three stages of outpatient treatment was formulated:in the etiological analysis stage,under the theoretical guidance of Morita therapy,analyze the pathogenic factors,to improve treatment compliance and reduce resistance;during the operating stage,guide patients to engage in constructive and meaningful actions,realizing the achievement of letting nature take its course principle;in the cultivating character and enriching life stage,pay attention to positive infor-mation,expanding the scope and content of actions,improving the ability to adapt to complex life,and preventing recurrence caused by insufficient abilities.It will lay a foundation for the promotion of Morita therapy in domestic outpatient clinics,so that more patients with neurosis and other psychological diseases could receive characteristic Morita therapy treatment in outpatient clinics.
6.Effect of Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Incompatible Pair with Haizao Yuhutang on Oxidative Stress in Liver of Goiter Rats
Xiao DONG ; Yi TIAN ; Xiaoqing LIU ; Can CAO ; Wenyong LIAO ; Xiangnan XU ; Meijing WU ; Haiyan LIU ; Shaohong CHEN ; Xue YU ; Angran FAN ; Linlin XIU ; Gansheng ZHONG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(14):37-45
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma incompatible pair with the Haizao Yuhutang (HYT) on oxidative stress in the liver of goiter rats under the condition of 2 times the dose limit of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020. MethodA total of 128 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a euthyrox group (20 μg·kg-1), a HYT group (12.06 g·kg-1), a HYT without Sargassum (HYT-H) group (9.90 g·kg-1), a HYT without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (HYT-G) group (10.26 g·kg-1), a HYT without Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (HYT-HG) group (8.10 g·kg-1), and a Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (HG) group (3.96 g·kg-1). The blank group was given deionized water by gavage, and the others were given propylthiouracil (PTU) to replicate the goiter pathological model. Euthyrox was taken as a positive control drug, and the rest of the Chinese medicine groups were given the corresponding decoction by gavage, the material was collected 12 hours after the last dose. The serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS) in liver tissue were detected in each group. The pathological changes in the liver were observed via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was utilized to detect the mRNA expressions of Kelch-like Ech-associated protein 1 (Keap1), nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), p53 and Caspase-3 in liver tissues. Western blot was adopted to detect the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 in liver tissues in oxidative stress-related signaling pathways. ResultCompared with control group, the model group showed significantly increased serum ALT level and contents of MDA and ROS in liver tissues (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced activities of SOD and GSH-Px in the liver (P<0.01), significantly increased mRNA expression of Keap1 (P<0.01), and significantly decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the HYT group manifested significantly reduced serum levels of AST, ALT, and ALP (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly reduced contents of MDA and ROS in liver tissue (P<0.01), significantly increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.01), significantly decreased mRNA expressions of Keap1, p53, and Caspase-3 (P<0.01), and significantly increased mRNA and protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionUnder the condition of 2 times the dose limit of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020, Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma incompatible pair with the HYT on oxidative stress in the liver of goiter rats had different effects. The HYT that contains Sargassum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma has a protective effect on the liver of goiter rats, and the effect is better than that of the HG group, the euthyrox group, and the incomplete groups. Its mechanism may be related to activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to alleviate liver oxidative stress and inhibiting the p53/Caspase-3 signaling pathway to reduce hepatocyte apoptosis.
7.Chemical diversity of azaphilones from the marine-derived fungus Talaromyces sp. HK1-18
Jia-cheng XUE ; Zhong-hui LI ; Bao-cong HAO ; Yao-yao ZHENG ; Xia-hao ZHU ; Zhi-xin CHEN ; Min CHEN
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(5):1478-1483
GNPS-based mass spectrum-molecular networks is an effective strategy for rapidly identifying known natural products and discovering novel structures. The chemical diversity of azaphilones from the fermentation extracts of
9.Exploring lncRNA Expression Patterns in Patients With Hypertrophied Ligamentum Flavum
Junling CHEN ; Guibin ZHONG ; Manle QIU ; Wei KE ; Jingsong XUE ; Jianwei CHEN
Neurospine 2024;21(1):330-341
Objective:
Hypertrophy ligamentum flavum (LFH) is a common cause of lumbar spinal stenosis, resulting in significant disability and morbidity. Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been associated with various biological processes and disorders, their involvement in LFH remains not fully understood.
Methods:
Human ligamentum flavum samples were analyzed using lncRNA sequencing followed by validation through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To explore the potential biological functions of differentially expressed lncRNA-associated genes, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses were performed. We also studied the impact of lncRNA PARD3-AS1 on the progression of LFH in vitro.
Results:
In the LFH tissues when compared to that in the nonhypertrophic ligamentum flavum (LFN) tissues, a total of 1,091 lncRNAs exhibited differential expression, with 645 upregulated and 446 downregulated. Based on GO analysis, the differentially expressed transcripts primarily participated in metabolic processes, organelles, nuclear lumen, cytoplasm, protein binding, nucleic acid binding, and transcription factor activity. Moreover, KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the differentially expressed lncRNAs were associated with the hippo signaling pathway, nucleotide excision repair, and nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. The expression of PARD3-AS1, RP11-430G17.3, RP1-193H18.3, and H19 was confirmed to be consistent with the sequencing analysis. Inhibition of PARD3-AS1 resulted in the suppression of fibrosis in LFH cells, whereas the overexpression of PARD3-AS1 promoted fibrosis in LFH cells in vitro.
Conclusion
This study identified distinct expression patterns of lncRNAs that are linked to LFH, providing insights into its underlying mechanisms and potential prognostic and therapeutic interventions. Notably, PARD3-AS1 appears to play a significant role in the pathophysiology of LFH.
10.Clinical study of constructing nomogram model based on multi-dimensional clinical indicators to predict prognosis of knee osteoarthritis
Xin WANG ; Cong-Jun YE ; Zhen-Zhong DENG ; Yan XUE ; Chen-Hui WEI ; Qing-Biao LI ; Yang-Ming LUO ; Jian-Zhong GAN
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2024;37(2):184-190
Objective To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis,and to construct a nomogram prediction model in conjunction with multi-dimensional clinical indicators.Methods The clinical data of 234 pa-tients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated in our hospital from January 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,including 126 males and 108 females;age more than 60 years old for 135 cases,age less than 60 years old for 99 cases.Lysholm knee function score was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients,and the patients were divided into good progno-sis group for 155 patients and poor prognosis group for 79 patients according to the prognosis.The clinical data of the subjects in the experimental cohort were analyzed by single factor and multiple factors.The patients were divided into experimental co-hort and verification cohort,the results of the multiple factor analysis were visualized to obtain a nomogram prediction model,the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),calibration curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the model's dis-crimination,accuracy and clinical benefit rate.Results The results of multivariate analysis showed that smoking,pre-treatment K-L grades of Ⅲto Ⅳ,and high levels of interleukin 6(IL-6)and matrix metallo proteinase-3(MMP-3)were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis.ROC test results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram model in the experimental cohort and validation cohort was 0.806[95%CI(0.742,0.866)]and 0.786[(95%CI(0.678,0.893)],re-spectively.The results of the calibration curve showed that the Brier values of the experimental cohort and verification cohort were 0.151 points and 0.134 points,respectively.When the threshold probability value in the decision curve was set to 31%,the clinical benefit rates of the experimental cohort and validation cohort were 51%and 56%,respectively.Conclusion The prognostic model of patients with knee osteoarthritis constructed based on multi-dimensional clinical data has both theoretical and practical significance,and can provide a reference for taking targeted measures to improve the prognosis of patients.

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