Objective:To evaluate the effect of sleep deprivation on the expression of sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in the cerebellum of immature mice.Methods:Fifty SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 4 weeks, weighing 14-16 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=25 each) using a random number table method: control group (Con group) and sleep deprivation group (SD group). The chronic sleep deprivation model was prepared by using the multi-platform water environment method, with 20 h of sleep deprivation per day for 10 consecutive days. After sleep deprivation, a balance beam experiment was performed to test the balance and coordination ability of mice. The mice were sacrificed after anesthesia and cerebellar lobular IV-VI (4-6 cb) tissues were taken for microscopic examination of the ultrastructure (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the dendritic spine density of cerebellar 4-6cb Purkinje neurons (by Golgi staining), co-expression of SIRT6 and Calbindin D-28k (CbD-28k) and expression of glucose transporter Glut3 of cerebellar 4-6cb (by immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with group Con, the duration of passage through the balance beam was significantly prolonged, and the number of posterior foot slips was increased, the synaptic gap of cerebellar 4-6cb neurons was increased, the thickness of postsynaptic density was increased, the density of dendritic spines of Purkinje cells and the number of positive cells co-expressing SIRT6 and CbD-28k were decreased, and the expression of Glut3 was down-regulated in group SD ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which sleep deprivation decreases the abilities of balance and coordination is related to down-regulating SIRT6 expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells and decreasing neuronal glucose metabolism, thus damaging the synaptic plasticity of cerebellum in immature mice.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol on parvalbumin (PV) neurons in the medical prefrontal cortex(mPFC)of rats with social behavior disorders induced by chronic sleep deprivation.Methods:Forty-two SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=14 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), chronic sleep deprivation plus natural sleep group (group CSD+ NS), and chronic sleep deprivation plus propofol group (group CSD+ Pro). Sleep deprivation model was established by the modified multiple platform method, the rats were placed in the sleep-deprivation tank for 20 h a day (14: 00-10: 00), and allowed to sleep naturally for 4 h (10: 00-14: 00) a day for 28 consecutive days. Propofol 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected for 28 consecutive days after sleep deprivation in CSD+ Pro group. While the equal volume of 10% fat emulsion was given in Con and CSD+ NS groups. After the end of sleep deprivation, a three-box social experiment was used to detect the social behavior of rats, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of the perineuronal network (PNN) in the mPFC area were measured by immunofluorescence. Results:Compared with group Con, the pertentage of rapid eye movement sleep and sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly decreased, and the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were decreased in group CSD+ NS ( P<0.05). Compared with group CSD+ NS, the sniffing time preference coefficients for the strange rat 1 in the first stage and for the strange rat 2 in the second stage were significantly increased, the number of the PV positive cells and density of PNN in the mPFC area were increased( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the percentage of the rapid eye movement sleep in group CSD+ Pro. Conclusions:Propofol probably increases the number and function of PV neurons in the mPFC and ameliorates sleep deprivation-induced social behavior disorders in sleep-deprived rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of emodin on liver injury in a mouse model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and the role of heme oxygenase-1-mediated autophagy.Methods:Twenty-four SPF-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 18-22 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), I/R group, emodin group (E group) and emodin plus HO-1 inhibitor Zinc Protoporphyrin Ⅸ (ZnPP) group (ES group). The intestinal I/R injury model was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion. Emodin 40 mg/kg dissolved in 5% methylcellulose sodium was given by gastric gavage once a day for 5 days before ischemia in E group. Emodin 40 mg/kg dissolved in 5% methylcellulose sodium was given by gastric gavage once a day for 5 days before intestinal I/R, and ZnPP 7.5 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein at 12 h before ischemia in ES group. Orbital venous blood samples were collected at the end of reperfusion for determination of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) concentrations. Then the mice were sacrificed, and liver tissues were obtained for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (after HE staining) and for determination of the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), content of malondialdehyde (MDA), expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) mRNA (by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction), the expression of HO-1, autophagy-related protein Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) (by Western blot). The LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was calculated. Results:Compared with Sham group, the activity of SOD was significantly decreased, the content of MDA and serum ALT and AST concentrations were increased, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA and HO-1 was up-regulated, the expression of Beclin1 was down-regulated, the LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of liver tissues were found in I/R group. Compared with I/R group, the activity of SOD was significantly increased, the content of MDA and serum ALT and AST concentrations were decreased, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA was down-regulated, the expression of HO-1 and Beclin1 was up-regulated, the LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was increased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of liver tissues were significantly attenuated in E group ( P<0.05). Compared with E group, the activity of SOD was significantly decreased, the content of MDA and serum ALT and AST concentrations were increased, the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA was up-regulated, the expression of HO-1 and Beclin1 was down-regulated, the LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ ratio was decreased ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of liver tissues were aggravated in ES group. Conclusions:Emodin can alleviate liver injury induced by intestinal I/R in mice, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of HO-1-mediated autophagy.

Objective:To investigate the role of dopamine receptors in the central amygdala (CeA) in reduction of the anxiety level by propofol in a mouse model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Methods:Fifty-six SPF healthy adult male C57BL/6 mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 7 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), PTSD group (P group), PTSD+ propofol group (PP group), PTSD+ fat emulsion group (PF group), PTSD+ propofol+ normal saline group (PPN group), PTSD+ propofol+ dopamine receptor D1 (DRD1) antagonist group (PP+ DRD1-Ant group), and PTSD+ propofol+ DRD2 antagonist group (PP+ DRD2-Ant group). The PTSD model was developed by continuous plantar electric shock for 3 days. Propofol 120 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected after successful establishment of the model in PP group, and the equal volume of fat emulsion was intraperitoneally injected in PF group. In PPN group, PP+ DRD1-Ant group and PP+ DRD2-Ant group, the equal volume of normal saline, DRD1 antagonist hydrochloride and DRD2 antagonist eticlopride hydrochloride were injected in bilateral CeA regions, respectively, 30 min later the efficacy of drugs reached the peak, and then propofol 120 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. The anxiety levels were measured at 4 h (T 1) and day 3 after propofol injection (T 2) by the open field test and elevated cross maze test. Results:Compared with C group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly shortened at T 1, 2, and the number of entering the open and central areas was decreased at T 1, 2 in P group ( P<0.001). Compared with P group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly prolonged at T 1, the number of entering the open and central areas was increased at T 1 ( P<0.001), and no significant change was found at T 2 in PP group ( P>0.05), and no significant change was found in the aforementioned parameters at T 1, 2 in PF group ( P>0.05). Compared with PPN group, the time spent entering the open and central areas was significantly shortened at T 1, and the number of entering the open and central areas was decreased at T 1 in PP+ DRD2-Ant group ( P<0.001), and no significant change was found at T 1 in PP+ DRD1-Ant group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Activation of DRD2 in the CeA is involved in the process by which propofol reduces the anxiety level of mice with PTSD.

Objective     To explore the relationship between preoperative fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in type 2 diabetic patients undergoing elective thoracoscopic lung resection, and provide a reference for prediction and prevention of PPCs in the clinic. Methods     A retrospective analysis was performed on the type 2 diabetic patients who underwent elective thoracoscopic lung resection for the first time in our hospital from January 2017 to March 2021. According to the level of FPG one day before the operation, the patients were divided into three groups: a hypoglycemia group (<6.1 mmol/L), a medium level blood glucose group (≥6.1 mmol/L and <8.0 mmol/L) and a high blood glucose group (≥8.0 mmol/L). Besides, the patients were divided into a PPCs group and a non-PPCs group according to whether PPCs occurred. The risk factors for PPCs were analyzed by logistic regression analysis, and the predictive value of preoperative FPG level on PPCs was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results     A total of 130 patients were included, including 75 (57.7%) males and 55 (42.3%) females with an average age of 63.5±9.0 years. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared to non-PPCs patients, the level of preoperative FPG (P=0.023) and smoking history ratio (P=0.036) were higher and the operation time was longer (P=0.004) in the PPCs patients. High FPG level on preoperative day 1 and longer operation time were associated with PPCs risk. Besides, the preoperative FPG of 6.79 mmol/L was the threshold value to predict the occurrence of PPCs [AUC=0.653, 95%CI (0.559, 0.747), P=0.003]. Conclusion     There is a certain correlation between preoperative FPG level and postoperative PPCs, which may be used as an index to predict the occurrence of PPCs.

Objective:To compare the effects of desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia on the sleep quality of sleep-deprived mice.Methods:Thirty-two clean-grade healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=8 each) by the random number table method: control group (C group), sleep deprivation group (SD group), sleep deprivation+ sevoflurane group (SD+ SEV group), and sleep deprivation+ desflurane group (SD+ DES group). In the four groups, EEG-EMG electrodes were implanted for recording EEG and EMG, and sleep deprivation model was developed by the gentle stimulation method with a brush for 12 h (6: 00-18: 00) after 7 days of adaptation. The 6 h after sleep deprivation was divided into 2 time periods: T 1 period (18: 00-20: 00) and T 2 period (20: 00-24: 00). T 1 period In SD group, mice were allowed ad libitum recovery sleep after sleep deprivation. C group and SD group were exposed to 60% oxygen 1.5 L/min. In SD+ DES group and SD+ SEV group, mice were exposed to 6% desflurane and 2.5% sevoflurane, respectively, for 2 h in 60% oxygen 1.5 L/min following sleep deprivation. T 2 period Four groups were allowed ad libitum recovery sleep with the EEG-EMG signal recording. The percentages and number of wakefulness time, rapid eye movement time and non-rapid eye movement time during each time period were calculated using Lunion Data software. Results:Compared with C group, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement time and the percentage of rapid eye movement time were significantly decreased, and the percentage of wakefulness time was increased during 12 h sleep deprivation in SD group, SD+ SEV group and SD+ DES group ( P<0.05). Compared with T 1 period, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement time was significantly increased, and the percentage of wakefulness time and percentage of rapid eye movement time were decreased in T 2 period in SD group ( P<0.05). Compared with SD group, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement time and percentage of rapid eye movement time were significantly decreased, and the percentage of wakefulness time was increased in T 2 period in SD+ SEV group and SD+ DES group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of non-rapid eye movement, rapid eye movement and wakefulness time in T 2 period between SD+ SEV group and SD+ DES group ( P>0.05). Compared with SD+ SEV group, the number of non-rapid eye movement in T 2 period was significantly reduced in SD+ DES group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The effect of desflurane anesthesia in improving sleep quality is better than sevoflurane anesthesia in sleep-deprived mice.

Objective:To evaluate the role of activation of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) neurons in vagal nodose ganglion in dexmedetomidine-caused bradycardia in mice.Methods:Ninety-six SPF healthy male VGLUT2-cre mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-25 g, were divided into 6 groups ( n=16 each) by the random number table method: normal saline control group (NS group), dexmedetomidine group (Dex group), viral control + chemogenetic control + dexmedetomidine group (eGFP-NS+ Dex group), viral transfection + chemogenetic control + dexmedetomidine group (hM4Di-NS+ Dex group), viral control + chemogenetic inhibition + dexmedetomidine group (eGFP-CNO+ Dex group) and viral transfection + chemogenetic inhibition + dexmedetomidine group (hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group). Dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in Dex group. The equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in NS group. AAV2/9-hSyn-DIO-hM4Di-eGFP was injected in the right nodose ganglion in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group and hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, and AAV2/9-hSyn-DIO-eGFP was injected in the right nodose ganglion in eGFP-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group, allowing the virus expression for 21 days. On the 22nd day after virus injection, clozapine-n-oxide (CNO) 5 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group, the equal volume of normal saline was intraperitoneally injected in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-NS+ Dex group, 1 h later the efficacy of CNO reached the peak, and then dexmedetomidine 100 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected. The respiratory rate, heart rate, SpO 2 and discharge frequency of the right vagal nodose ganglion were synchronously measured by multi-channel electrophysiology in vivo. The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) and VGLUT2 and co-expression of pERK and VGLUT2 in the right vagal nodose ganglion were detected by immunofluorescence assay. Results:Compared with NS group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly increased, and pERK expression was up-regulated in the other five groups ( P<0.05). Compared with Dex group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly decreased, and pERK expression was down-regulated in hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in hM4Di-NS+ Dex group, eGFP-NS+ Dex group and eGFP-CNO+ Dex group ( P>0.05). Compared with hM4Di-CNO+ Dex group, the percentage of heart rate variation and neuron firing frequency after administration were significantly increased, and pERK expression was up-regulated in eGFP-CNO+ Dex group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of respiratory variation and SpO 2 among the six groups ( P>0.05). The expression of VGLUT2-positive neurons was abundant in nodose ganglia, and the co-expression rate of pERK and VGLUT2 was nearly 90%. The co-expression rate of pERK and VGLUT2 decreased to about 30% after inhibition of VGLUT2 neurons in ganglion. Conclusions:The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine causes bradycardia is associated with activation of VGLUT2 neurons in vagal nodose ganglia in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and ferroptosis during lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods:Fifty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=18 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), lung I/R group (IR group), and lung I/R+ Nrf2 agonist sulforaphane group (IR+ SFP group). Lung I/R model was developed by clamping the left pulmonary hilum for 60 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.In IR+ SFP group, SFP 500 μg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 3 days before lung ischemia once a day for 3 consecutive days, and the model was developed at 2 h after the end of administration.The rats were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to determine the protein concentration (using bicinchoninic acid method), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). The animals were then sacrificed, and lung tissue specimens were harvested for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of wet/dry weight (W/D) ratio, contents of iron, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) (by chemical colorimetric) and expression of nuclear Nrf2, glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with Sham group, the concentrations of protein, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF, W/D ratio, and contents of Fe 2+ and MDA were significantly increased, GSH content was decreased, GPX4 expression was down-regulated, the expression of nuclear Nrf2and ACSL4 was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and the mitochondrial morphology of type Ⅱalveolar epithelial cells showed the characteristic changes of ferroptosis, including the presence of smaller mitochondria and reduced cristae in IR group.Compared with IR group, the concentrations of protein, IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF, W/D ratio, and contents of Fe 2+ and MDA were significantly decreased, GSH content was increased, the expression of nuclear Nrf2 and GPX4 expression was up-regulated, ACSL4 expression was down-regulated ( P<0.05), and the pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly attenuated in IR+ SFP group. Conclusions:Nrf2 can inhibit ferroptosis during lung I/R and is involved in the endogenous protective mechanism in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of propofol on neuronal activity in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) during social behavior in sleep-deprived rats.Methods:Sixty SPF healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 200-250 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=20 each) using a random number table method: control group (group Con), chronic sleep deprivation plus natural sleep group (group CSD+ NS), and chronic sleep deprivation plus propofol group (CSD+ Pro). Sleep deprivation model was developed by the modified multiple platform method, and the rats were placed in the sleep-deprivation tank for 20 h a day (14: 00-10: 00) and allowed to sleep naturally for 4 h (10: 00-14: 00) a day for 28 consecutive days.Propofol 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected after sleep deprivation for 28 consecutive days in group CSD+ Pro, while the equal volume of 10% fat emulsion was given instead in group C and group CSD+ NS.Electroencephalographic recordings in cerebral cortical regions were performed on the days 1st, 14th and 28th after sleep deprivation.The apoptotic neurons in mPFC were detected using TUNEL method after the end of sleep deprivation, and the apoptosis index was calculated.A three chamber sociability test was used to detect the social behavior of rats, and local field potential signals in mPFC were collected. Results:Compared with group Con, the percentage of rapid eye movement sleep was significantly increased, the sniffing time preference coefficients in the 2 stages were reduced, the percentage of the β waves and θ waves-band power in mPFC during the social sniffing process was decreased, and the apoptosis index of neurons in mPFC was increased in group CSD+ NS ( P<0.05). Compared with group CSD+ NS, the percentage of rapid eye movement sleep was significantly increased, the sniffing time preference coefficient in the 2 stages was increased, and the percentage of β waves and θ waves-band power in mPFC during the social sniffing process was increased, and the apoptosis index of neurons in mPFC was decreased in group CSD+ Pro ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Propofol inhibits the apoptosis in neurons in mPFC and increases β and θ waves in the mPFC during social interaction after sleep deprivation in sleep-deprived rats, which is helpful in improving sleep deprivation-induced social disorder.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between thalamocortical glutamate and neuronal activity in mice with neuropathic pain-induced sleep disorders.Methods:SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 6-8 weeks, weighing 15-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=14 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and neuropathic pain group (CCI group). Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constrictive injury (CCI). The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal 10% chloral hydrate 3 ml/kg.The right sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals.The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and thermal paw withdrawal latency on the operated side were measured at 1 day before CCI (T 0) and 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after CCI (T 1-5). Electroencephalogram recording electrodes were stereotaxically implanted in visual cortex at T 3, and electroencephalogram were monitored for 6 h, the percentages of non-rapid eye movement, rapid eye movement and wakefulness in the total time were calculated.Microwire electrodes were implanted epidurally over the ventral posterior (VP) nucleus of the thalamus and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) using a brain stereotaxic apparatus at T 3, and the data acquisition system was used to record field potentials at T 4, the percentage of power of each wave was calculated, and the coherence of the field potentials of VP and S1 was simultaneously evaluated.The mice were sacrificed at T 4, brain tissues were collected, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the level of neurotransmitter in the thalamus and cortex. Results:Compared with group Sham, the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold was significantly decreased and thermal paw withdrawal latency was shortened at T 1-5, the percentage of non-rapid eye movement time was decreased, the percentage of wakefulness time was increased, the percentage of δ wave power in the VP area was decreased, the percentage of δ wave power in the VP and S1 areas was increased, and the coherence of the field potentials of VP-S1 was increased in the frequency range of δ wave (1-4 Hz) and α wave (8-14 Hz), and the levels of glutamate, glutamine and glutamate-glutamine in the thalamus and cortex were increased in group CCI ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Neuropathic pain-induced sleep disturbance is related to increased thalamocortical glutamate levels, resulting in changes in the electrical activity of thalamocortical neurons of mice.