Qingxin Zishen Decoction Treats Menopausal Syndrome Due to Yin Deficiency with Effulgent Fire by Regulating KNDy Neurons / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the comprehensive effects of Qingxin Zishen decoction on the symptom score and neuroendocrine indexes and the mechanism of the decoction in regulating KNDy neurons in the patients with menopausal syndrome. MethodA total of 60 patients with menopausal syndrome due to yin deficiency with effulgent fire who attended the menopausal outpatient of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine were randomized into an experimental （Qingxin Zishen decoction） group （30 cases） and a control （femoston） group （30 cases）. The treatment lasted for 12 weeks in both groups. The two groups were compared in terms of the comprehensive efficacy， frequency and degree of hot flashes and sweating， modified Kupperman score， and the serum levels of hypothalamic peptide kisspeptin， neurokinin B （NKB）， dynorphin （Dyn）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， and estradiol （E2）. Result① Comprehensive efficacy： The comprehensive efficacy of the two groups was comparable. ② Frequency and degrees of hot flashes and sweating： After treatment， the frequency and degrees of hot flashes and sweating in the two groups were reduced （P<0.05） and the control group outperformed the experimental group （P<0.05）. ③ Modified Kupperman score and menopausal symptoms： After treatment， the modified Kupperman score decreased in both groups （P<0.05）. After 4 weeks of treatment， the experimental group was superior to the control group in terms of the scores of dizziness and headache （P<0.05）. ④ Serum levels of sex hormones： After treatment， the serum E2 level elevated and the FSH level lowered in both groups （P<0.05）， and the changes were more obvious in the control group （P<0.05）. ⑤ Neuroendocrine indexes： After treatment， the serum levels of kisspeptin and NKB in the two groups decreased （P<0.05）， and the serum Dyn level in the experimental group increased （P<0.05）. Moreover， the experimental group had higher Dyn level than the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. ConclusionQingxin Zishen decoction can alleviate hot flashes， sweating， and other symptoms in the women with menopausal syndrome by acting on the KNDy neurons to lower the kisspeptin and NKB levels and elevate the Dyn level. The findings provide new ideas for the clinical treatment of hot flashes in menopause.

Assessment of quality-of-life in cancer patients at tertiary care hospital in North India

Introduction: Cancer is a disease that emerges as a result of abnormal cell proliferation and their propensity to spread from one bodily region to another. There are over a hundred different types of cancer that impact individuals all over the world. It is difficult to identify in the early stages, but there are certain warning signals that the cells will turn malignant. Quality of life (QOL) is described by the World Health Organisation as "individuals' perception of life, values, objectives, standards, and interests within the cultural framework of the social environment in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns." QOL assessment in health system is a multidimensional construct that can be measured by evaluating objective levels of health status filtered by the subjective perceptions and expectations of the individual. Aim and Objective: To assess socio-demographic factors and quality of life among cancer patients in tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based prospective observational study was conducted at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital Faridkot district, Punjab (India). The study was conducted for a period of six months after getting approval from Institutional Ethical Committee (IEC). Generic instrument, SF-36 was used to assess the QOL. The study was analyzed on SPSS version 26.0 software. Descriptive and analytical analysis was used to describe the results. Results: Linear regression was conducted to see the relationship of physical functioning score with age and weight of the patients. The descriptive statistics shows the mean and standard deviation of the variable. The mean of physical functioning score was found to be (M = 27.82, SD = 15.635). The physical functioning score and age, weight of the patients in linear regression shows that the age and weight explain 17.5% Conclusion: Treatment revealed that severe and moderate activities restricted nearly half of the assessed patients, with body pain interfering with employment and routine activities. According to the findings of the current study, QOL deteriorates as the disease progresses. Cancer unquestionably has a detrimental influence on patients' quality of life, which is connected to the illness process itself, the therapy administered, and the length of the disease. (AU)

Confirmación de la presencia de células serotoninérgicas en la corteza cerebral fetal en cultivos e in situ / Confirmation of the presence of serotonergic cells in the fetal cerebral cortex in cultures and in situ

Resumen Antecedentes: La aparición temprana de serotonina en el cerebro fetal y sus efectos en la morfogénesis cerebral apoyan su papel neurotrófico. Objetivo: Determinar la presencia de células serotoninérgicas y la expresión de triptófano-5-hidroxilasa (TPH), 5-hidroxitriptamina (5-HT), transportador de serotonina (SERT), receptor 5-HT1A y Pet-1 durante el desarrollo de la corteza cerebral, tanto in situ como en cultivo de tejidos. Material y métodos: Se realizó estudio observacional descriptivo en ratas Wistar preñadas. La presencia del tapón se consideró el inicio de la gestación; en los días 13, 16 y 17 se practicaron cesáreas para obtener los fetos e inmediatamente se disecaron los cerebros para identificar células serotoninérgicas, TPH, 5-HT, SERT, 5-HT1A y Pet-1 en cultivo de tejido e in situ mediante inmunomarcaje detectado en un microscopio confocal. Resultados: Células y terminales serotoninérgicas fueron observadas en el mesencéfalo el día 17 de gestación y en cocultivos de neopalio los días 13 y 16. También se observaron células inmunopositivas a TPH, 5-HT, SERT y Pet-1 en el neopalio en el día 12 del cultivo. Conclusiones: Se confirmó la presencia de células serotoninérgicas y otros elementos del sistema serotoninérgico en la corteza cerebral temprana, la cual puede ser transitoria y participar en los procesos de maduración cortical durante el desarrollo cerebral.

Abstract Background: Early appearance of serotonin in the fetal brain and its effects on brain morphogenesis support its neurotrophic role. Objective: To determine the presence of serotonergic cells and the expression of tryptophan-5-hydroxylase (TPH), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), serotonin transporter (SERT), 5-HT1A receptor and Pet-1 during the development of the cerebral cortex, both in situ and in tissue cultures. Material and methods: A descriptive, observational study was carried out in pregnant Wistar rats. The presence of the plug was regarded as the beginning of gestation. On days 13, 16 and 17, cesarean sections were performed to obtain the fetuses, and the brains were then immediately dissected to identify the presence of serotonergic cells, TPH, 5-HT, SERT, 5-HT1A and Pet-1 in tissue cultures and in situ by immunostaining detected on a confocal microscope. Results: Serotonergic cells and terminals were observed in the midbrain on day 17 of gestation, and in neopallium cocultures on days 13 and 16. TPH, 5-HT, SERT and Pet-1 immunopositive cells were also observed in the neopallium on day 12 of culture. Conclusions: The presence of serotonergic cells and other elements of the serotonergic system in the early cerebral cortex was confirmed, which may be transient and participate in cortical maturation processes during brain development.

A Simple and Consistent Rule for Easy Learning of Neuroanatomy: Three Neurons of Afferent Nerves / Una Regla Simple y Consistente para Facilitar el Aprendizaje de la Neuroanatomía: Tres Neuronas de los Nervios Aferentes

SUMMARY: Many students regard neuroanatomy as a terrifying subject due to the complicated neuronal connections. Purpose of this research was to promote the easy and logical learning of neuroanatomy by systematizing a rule "three neurons of afferent nerves." The rule, in which the second neuron decussates and reaches the thalamus, was applied to as many structures as possible. The three neurons are drawn in a constant pattern to intuitively demonstrate the rule. The rule could be applied not only to the spinothalamic tract, medial lemniscus pathway, sensory cranial nerves (visual pathway, trigeminothalamic tract, taste pathway, and auditory pathway) and ascending reticular activating system, but also to the pontocerebellum (afferent to cerebrum), basal nuclei (direct pathway), and limbic system (medial limbic circuit). Exceptionally, some afferent nerves do not exactly follow the suggested rule. This simple rule, which corresponds to many pathways of the neuroanatomy, is expected to make the learning by novice students easier.

Muchos estudiantes consideran la neuroanatomía como un tema aterrador debido a las complicadas conexiones neuronales. El propósito de esta investigación fue promover el aprendizaje fácil y lógico de la neuroanatomía mediante la sistematización de una regla "tres neuronas de los nervios aferentes". La regla, en la que la segunda neurona se decusa y llega al tálamo, se aplicó a todas las estructuras cuando esto fue posible. Las tres neuronas se dibujan en un patrón constante para demostrar la regla intuitivamente. La regla podría aplicarse no solo al tracto espinotalámico, la vía del lemnisco medial, los nervios craneales sensoriales (vía visual, tracto trigeminotalámico, vía gustativa y vía auditiva) y el sistema de activación reticular ascendente, sino también al pontocerebelo (aferente al cerebro), núcleos basales (vía directa) y sistema límbico (circuito límbico medial). Excepcionalmente, algunos nervios aferentes no siguen exactamente la regla sugerida. Se espera que esta simple regla, que corresponde a muchas vías de la neuroanatomía, facilite el aprendizaje de los estudiantes principiantes.

The Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenoside Rd Pretreatment in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

ABSTRACT Introduction: Paraplegia may develop as a result of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients who underwent thoracoabdominal aortic surgery. The objective of this research is to determine the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rd pretreatment in a rat model of spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were randomly assigned to three groups. The sham (n=12) and control (n=12) groups received normal saline orally. The Rd group (n=12) received ginsenoside Rd (100 mg/kg) orally 48 hours before the induction of spinal cord ischemia. Spinal cord ischemia was induced by aortic occlusion using a Fogarty balloon catheter in the Rd and control groups. A neurological assessment according to the motor deficit index and a histological evaluation of the spinal cord were performed. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of ginsenoside Rd, malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity were determined. Further, the tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta were measured. Results: The Rd group showed significantly lower motor deficit index scores than did the control group throughout the entire experimental period (P<0.001). The Rd group demonstrated significantly greater numbers of normal motor neurons than did the control group (P=0.039). The Rd group exhibited decreased malondialdehyde levels (P<0.001) and increased superoxide dismutase activity (P=0.029) compared to the control group. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta tissue levels were significantly decreased in the Rd group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rd pretreatment may be a promising treatment to prevent ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients who undergo thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Ashwagandha and Its Active Ingredient, Withanolide A, Increase Phosphorylation of TrkB in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Aims: To primary rat embryonic hippocampal neurons in culture, ashwagandha or one of its active ingredients, withanolide A were added in the presence or absence of nutrient supplementation and then assayed for activity of the BDNF receptor, TrkB. Study Design: Primary hippocampal neurons were cultured and grown in nutrient-rich or nutrient-poor medium. Ashwagandha or withanolide A were then be added to both types of media with or without an inhibitor of TrkB or either the PI-3K or MAPK pathway. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Los Angeles, CA, USA, between July 2021 and August 2022. Methodology: Rat embryos were removed by cesarean section from mother rats at 18 days’ gestation and the hippocampi of the former dissected, plated into culture dishes, and treated with the appropriate drug(s) (see Study Design above). After 4 days, neurons were harvested for Western blotting. Optical density of Western blot bands were quantified and statistically analyzed in a 2-way ANOVA, using a level of statistical significance at P < .05. Results: Under normal conditions (with N2 supplement), ashwagandha, but not withanolide A, increased phospho-TrkB immunoreactivity when compared to the effects of vehicle (controls, F(11, 24) = 22.48, P < .001), although withanolide A did not quite reach statistical significance (P = .069) when compared to that of the controlled condition. Likewise, under nutrient-deprived conditions, both ashwagandha and withanolide A also increased phosphorylation of TrkB when compared to that of vehicle-nutrient-deprived conditions (P < .0001). The same results were obtained in the presence of inhibitors of TrkB itself and the PI-3K (ashwagandha, P < .001; withanolide A, P < .001) and MAPK (ashwagandha, P = .027; withanolide A, P = .045) pathways. Conclusion: Ashwagandha or withanolide A activates TrkB, in nutrient-deprived hippocampal neurons, underscoring its role in neuronal survival signaling.

Avaliação morfológica do cólon proximal de ratos diabéticos suplementados com extrato de Agaricus blazei murrill / Morphological evaluation of the proximal colon of diabetic rats supplemented with agaricus blazei murrill extract / Evaluación morfológica del colon proximal de ratas diabéticas suplementadas con extracto de agaricus blazei murrill

O diabetes mellitus tipo I é resultado da absoluta deficiência de insulina, estando associado à anormalidades no metabolismo. Transtornos no trato gastrointestinal, tais como vômitos, disfagia e diarreia são frequentes no diabetes, sendo relacionados a alterações na morfologia intestinal e no sistema nervoso entérico. Compostos ricos em antioxidantes vem sendo utilizados como prevenção ou tratamento do diabetes. Agaricus blazei Murrill possui grande interesse farmacológico pelas propriedades anti-inflamató- rias, hipoglicêmicas e antioxidantes. Neste trabalho, avaliamos a integridade estrutural da parede e inervação intrínseca do cólon proximal em modelo experimental de diabetes induzido por estreptozotocina, tratados ou não com A. blazei. Ratos Wistar foram dividi- dos em grupos: normoglicêmicos (N), diabéticos (D) e com suplementação (NB e DB) por gavagem do extrato hidroalcoólico de Agaricus blazei (200mg/Kg), por 120 dias. Amostras do cólon proximal foram destinadas à técnicas histológicas para análise mor- fométrica da túnica mucosa, profundidade das criptas, muscular da mucosa, muscular ex- terna e parede total, número de células caliciformes e avaliação morfoquantitativa da pop- ulação mioentérica. O diabetes promoveu redução da muscular externa e muscular da mucosa com aumento na profundidade das criptas e área nuclear neuronal. O extrato promoveu hipertrofia da mucosa e muscular da mucosa. Houve manutenção na espessura da parede total, número de células caliciformes e na população neuronal mioentérica no diabetes e na suplementação. Conclui-se que o diabetes induzido por estreptozotocina e a suplementação com o extrato de Agaricus blazei causam ajustes morfológicos nas túnicas intestinais, sem interferir na parede e inervação mioentérica do cólon proximal, preservando a morfofisiologia absortiva e motora deste segmento

Type I diabetes mellitus is a result of absolute insulin deficiency and is associated with abnormalities in metabolism. Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, such as vomiting, dysphagia and diarrhea are common in diabetes, being related to changes in intestinal morphology and enteric nervous system. Antioxidant rich compounds have been used as prevention or treatment of diabetes. Agaricus blazei Murrill is highly pharmacologically interested in anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. In this work, we evaluated the structural integrity of the wall and intrinsic innervation of the proximal colon in an experimental model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes, treated or not with A. blazei Wistar rats were divided into groups: normoglycemic (N), diabetic (D) and supplementation (NB and DB) by gavage of the hydroalcoholic extract of Agaricus blazei (200mg / kg) for 120 days. Samples of the proximal colon were used for histological techniques for morphometric analysis of the mucosa, depth of the crypts, muscularis mucosa, external muscular and total wall, number of goblet cells and morpho-quantitative evaluation of the myenteric population. Diabetes promoted reduction of muscularis mucosa and external muscular with increased depth of the crypts and nuclear neuronal area. The extract promoted mucosa and muscular of the mucosa hypertrophy. There were maintenance of total wall thickness, number of goblet cells and in the myenteric neuronal population in diabetes and supplementation. It is concluded that streptozotocin-induced diabetes and supplementation with Agaricus blazei extract cause morphological adjustments in the intestinal tunica, without interfering with the wall and myenteric innervation of the proximal colon, preserving the absorptive and motor morphophysiology of this segment.

La diabetes mellitus tipo I es el resultado de la deficiencia absoluta de insulina y se asocia con anomalías en el metabolismo. Los trastornos del tracto gastrointestinal, como vómitos, disfagia y diarrea son frecuentes en la diabetes, estando relacionados con cambios en la morfología intestinal y en el sistema nervioso entérico. Los compuestos ricos en antioxidantes se han utilizado como prevención o tratamiento de la diabetes. Agaricus blazei Murrill está muy interesado farmacológicamente en propiedades antiinflamatorias, hipoglucémicas y antioxidantes. En este trabajo, se evaluó la integridad estructural de la pared e inervación intrínseca del colon proximal en un modelo experimental de diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina, tratada o no con ratas A. blazei Wistar, divididas en grupos: normoglucémico (N), diabético (D) y suplementación (NB y DB) por sonda del extracto hidroalcohólico de Agaricus blazei (200mg/kg) por 120 días. Se utilizaron muestras del colon proximal para técnicas histológicas de análisis morfométrico de la mucosa, profundidad de las criptas, mucosa muscular, pared externa muscular y total, número de células caliciformes y evaluación morfo-cuantitativa de la población mientérica. La diabetes promovió la reducción de la muscular de la mucosa y de la muscular externa con el aumento de la profundidad de las criptas y del área neuronal nuclear. El extracto promovió la hipertrofia mucosa y muscular de la mucosa. Hubo mantenimiento del espesor total de la pared, número de células caliciformes y en la población neuronal mientérica en diabetes y suplementación. Se concluye que la diabetes inducida por estreptozotocina y la suplementación con extracto de Agaricus blazei causan ajustes morfológicos en la túnica intestinal, sin interferir con la pared e inervación mientérica del colon proximal, conservando la morfofisiología absortiva y motora de este segmento.

Stable Angina Pectoris with Sleep Disorders Treated by Modified Tongmai Anshen Formula （通脉安神方加减）： An Clinical Observation of 74 Cases / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of the Modified Tongmai Anshen Formula （通脉安神方加减， MTAF） in the treatment of stable angina pectoris （SAP） with sleep disorders. MethodsA total of 148 patients suffering from SAP with sleep disorder were included and randomly divided into control group and treatment group， with 74 patients in each group. The control group received conventional western medicine， and the treatment group additionally received MTAF （1 dose per day）， both for 4 weeks. The changes in angina pectoris symptoms， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， sleep quality， quality of life， serological indicators including serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 （VCAM-1）， brain-derived nerve growth factor （BDNF） and tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） were compared between groups before and after treatment， and the safety was evaluated. ResultsIn the treatment group and the control group， the total effective rates of TCM syndromes（82.43% vs 52.70%）， angina pectoris （79.73% vs 64.86%） and sleep （89.19% vs 68.92%） showing significant difference （P＜0.001）. After treatment， the total TCM syndrome score， primary symptom score， secondary symptom score， and secondary symptoms sleeplessness， restlessness， tiredness and fatigue individual score， angina pectoris score， PSQI total score and each item score were all significantly reduced in both groups， while the SF-36 single item score significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The total TCM syndromes and primary symptom scores， secon-dary symptoms sleeplessness， restlessness， tiredness and fatigue individual score， angina pectoris score， time to fall asleep， sleep quality， hypnotic medication， sleep disturbance， daytime dysfunction score and PSQI total score were significantly lower in the treatment group than those in the control group after treatment （P＜0.05）， while the somatic pain， general health status， social functioning， emotional functioning， mental health， and health change were significantly higher in the treatment group （P＜0.05）. After treatment， ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 level significantly decreased （P＜0.05）， and BDNF and TrkB levels increased （P＜0.05） in the treatment group， while BDNF level significantly decreased in the control group （P＜0.05）. The TrkB level was significantly higher in the treatment group compared to the control group after treatment （P＜0.05）. A total of four adverse events occurred during the treatment， none of which were considered to be related to this study. ConclusionMTAF can significantly improve angina pectoris symptoms， TCM syndromes， sleep quality and quality of life in patients suffering from SAP with sleep disorders， the mechanism of which may be related to the protection of vascular endothelial function and central neurons.

Projection-Specific Heterogeneity of the Axon Initial Segment of Pyramidal Neurons in the Prelimbic Cortex / 神经科学通报·英文版

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a highly specialized axonal compartment where the action potential is initiated. The heterogeneity of AISs has been suggested to occur between interneurons and pyramidal neurons (PyNs), which likely contributes to their unique spiking properties. However, whether the various characteristics of AISs can be linked to specific PyN subtypes remains unknown. Here, we report that in the prelimbic cortex (PL) of the mouse, two types of PyNs with axon projections either to the contralateral PL or to the ipsilateral basal lateral amygdala, possess distinct AIS properties reflected by morphology, ion channel expression, action potential initiation, and axo-axonic synaptic inputs from chandelier cells. Furthermore, projection-specific AIS diversity is more prominent in the superficial layer than in the deep layer. Thus, our study reveals the cortical layer- and axon projection-specific heterogeneity of PyN AISs, which may endow the spiking of various PyN types with exquisite modulation.

Transplanting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can induce neural regeneration / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of transplanting bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on microglia and neuron expression in newborn mice with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD).Methods:Sixty 10-day-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a hypoxic-ischemia group, a placebo group and a stem cell group, each of 15. The hypoxia-ischemia model was induced in the hypoxia-ischemia, placebo and stem cell groups, while the sham operation group was sutured after the neck incision. After successful modeling, the rats in the stem cell group were injected with BMSCs into the bregma while those in the placebo group received phosphate buffered saline. Seven days later, brain tissue was resected and its structure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the expression of microglia and neurons in the left cerebral cortex.Results:Seven days after stem cell transplantation, the neuron morphology had improved and nerve fiber swelling was relieved in the stem cell group. The average expression of neurons was significantly greater in the stem cell group compared with the hypoxic-ischemia and placebo groups, while the expression of microglia was significantly lower.Conclusions:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells may induce neuron regeneration and reduce inflammatory response by inhibiting the expression of microglia, at least in neonatal rats modeling hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Role of NORAD in ketamine-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neurons: association with endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NORAD in ketamine-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neurons and the relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress.Methods:Primary mouse hippocampal neurons were isolated and cultured and then divided into 5 groups ( n=36 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), ketamine group (group K), ketamine+ pcDNA3.1-NORAD plasmid group (group K+ NORAD), ketamine+ control plasmid group (group K+ NC), and ketamine+ NORAD+ tunicamycin group (group K+ NORAD+ TM). Group C was cultured with normal medium for 24 h. Group K was cultured with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NORAD was transfected with pcDNA3.1-NORAD overexpressing plasmid for 48 h, followed by treatment with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NC was transfected with pcDNA3.1 (+ ) plasmid for 48 h, followed by treatment with 40 μmol/L ketamine for 24 h. Group K+ NORAD+ TM was transfected with pcDNA3.1-NORAD overexpressing plasmid, 24 h later endoplasmic reticulum stress activator tunicamycin 1 μg/ml was added and the neurons were cultured for 24 h, and then ketamine 40 μmol/L was added and the neurons were cultured for another 24 h. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The amount of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released was analyzed. Cell apoptosis was determined by TUNEL and flow cytometry methods. The NORAD expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins protein kinase R-like ER kinase (PERK), phosphorylated PERK (p-PERK) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were increased, NORAD expression was down-regulated, CHOP expression was up-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was increased in group K ( P<0.05). Compared with group K, the cell viability was significantly increased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were decreased, NORAD expression was up-regulated, CHOP expression was down-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was decreased in group K+ NORAD ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group K+ NC ( P>0.05). Compared with group K+ NORAD, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the amount of LDH released, percentage of apoptotic neurons and apoptosis rate were increased, CHOP expression was up-regulated, and p-PERK/PERK was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the NORAD expression in group K+ NORAD+ TM ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Over-expressed NORAD can alleviate ketamine-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal neurons via inhibition of the endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Role of activation of VGLUT2 neurons in vagal nodose ganglion in dexmedetomidine-caused bradycardia in mice / 中华麻醉学杂志

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.

Role of SIRT1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced attenuation of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration injury in HT22 cells / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1)/nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced attenuation of oxygen-glucose deprivation and restoration (OGD/R) injury in mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line (HT22) cells.Methods:The HT22 cells were seeded in a culture plate (96-well plate, 100 μl/well; 6-well plate, 2 ml/well) at the density of 5×10 4 cells/ml or in a culture dish (6 cm in diameter) and then divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) using a random number table method: control group (Control group), OGD/R group, sevoflurane postconditioning group (SPC group), and SIRT1 small interfering RNA group (si-SIRT 1 group). In Control group, cells were cultured at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In OGD/R group, the culture medium was replaced with glucose-free serum-free culture medium, and cells were exposed to 95% N 2+ 5% CO 2 for 4 h in an incubator at 37 ℃, and then the glucose-free serum-free culture medium was replaced with the primary culture medium, and cells were cultured for 24 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In SPC group, the glucose-free serum-free culture medium was replaced with the primary cell culture medium after 4-h oxygen and glucose deprivation, the cells were put into the hypoxia incubator chamber which was filled with 2% sevoflurane immediately after start of reoxygenation, then the chamber was placed in an incubator and the cells were cultured for 1 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere, and finally the cells were removed from the chamber and cultured for 23 h at 37 ℃ in normal culture atmosphere. In si-SIRT1 group, SIRT1 small interfering RNA 150 pmol was added at 24 h before surgery, cells were then incubated, and the other procedures were the same as those previously described in group SPC. The cell survival rate was determined using MTT assay. TUNEL assay was used to detect cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis rate was calculated. The expression of SIRT1, NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA was determined using polymerase chain reaction. The expression of SIRT1, NLRP3, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and IL-18 was detected using Western blot. Results:Compared with Control group, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in OGD/R group ( P<0.05). Compared with OGD/R group, the cell survival rate was significantly increased, the apoptosis rate was decreased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was down-regulated in SPC group ( P<0.05). Compared with SPC group, the cell survival rate was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the expression of SIRT1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3, IL-1β and IL-18 protein and mRNA was up-regulated in si-SIRT1 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Activation of SIRT1-NLRP3 signaling pathway is involved in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced attenuation of OGD/R injury in HT22 cells.

Role of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in tunicamycin-induced injury to hippocampal neurons of mice: relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 in tunicamycin(TM)-induced injury to hippocampal neurons and the relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice.Methods:Mouse HT22 cells were divided into 4 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (C group), Nur77 specific agonist Csn-B group (Csn-B group), endoplasmic reticulum stress inducer TM group (TM group), and TM+ Csn-B group. Cells in C group were cultured for 24 h under normal condition. In Csn-B group, Csn-B at a final concentration of 10 μg/ml was added to the culture medium, and the cells were incubated for 24 h. In TM group, TM at a final concentration of 200 ng/ml was added to the culture medium and the cells were incubated for 24 h to induce cell endoplasmic reticulum stress injury. Cells in TM+ Csn-B group were pretreated with Csn-B at a final concentration of 10 μg/ml for 15 min, then TM at a final concentration of 200 ng/ml was added, and the cells were co-incubated for 24 h. The cell viability was examined by CCK-8 assay kit after treatment in each group. The expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related protein CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78)and apoptosis-associated protein Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and cleaved-caspase-3 was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with C group, the cell viability was significantly decreased, and the expression of CHOP, GRP78, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 was up-regulated, and the expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was down-regulated in TM group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with TM group, the cell viability was significantly increased, the expression of CHOP, GRP78, Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 was down-regulated, and the expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was up-regulated in TM+ Csn-B group ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusions:Orphan nuclear receptor Nur77 is involved in TM-induced injury to hippocampal neurons, which is related to activation of the endoplasmic reticulum stress in mice.

Effect of electroacupuncture on calcium homeostasis in hippocampal neurons of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on calcium homeostasis in hippocampal neurons of mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE).Methods:Twenty-four healthy male C57BL/6J mice, weighing 18-22 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), SAE group, SAE plus electroacupuncture group (SAE+ EA group), and SAE plus sham electroacupuncture group (SAE+ SEA group). The virus carrying calcium ion (Ca 2+ ) fluorescent probes was injected and then an optical fiber was implanted into the hippocampal CA1 area to record the fluorescence signals of Ca 2+ . SAE was induced by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized mice at 3 weeks after administration. Starting from 3 days before surgery, Baihui and bilateral Quchi and bilateral Zusanli acupoints were stimulated for 30 min per day for 7 consecutive days in SAE+ EA group. In SAE+ SEA group, electroacupuncture was performed at the points 0.2 mm lateral to the corresponding acupoints without electrical stimulation. Open field tests were conducted at 5 days after surgery to record the number of rearing and changes in related Ca 2+ signals in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Novel object recognition tests were conducted at 6-7 days after surgery to record the recognition time and changes in related Ca 2+ signals in hippocampal CA1 neurons. Mice were sacrificed after the end of behavioral testing on 7 days after surgery, and brain tissues ipsilateral to the optical fiber implant were obtained and the fluorescence intensity of Ca 2+ in the hippocampal CA1 neurons was acquired using a fluorescent microscope. Results:Compared with Sham group, the number of rearing and amplitudes of related Ca 2+ signals in hippocampal CA1 neurons while rearing were significantly decreased in SAE group and SAE+ SEA group ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant changes were found in the parameters mentioned above in SAE+ EA group ( P>0.05), and the recognition index and amplitudes of related Ca 2+ signals while recognizing were significantly deceased, and the fluorescence intensity of Ca 2+ in hippocampal CA1 neurons was increased in SAE, SAE+ EA and SAE+ SEA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with SAE group and SAE+ SEA group, the number of rearing and amplitudes of related Ca 2+ signals in hippocampal CA1 neurons while rearing were significantly increased, the recognition index and amplitudes of related Ca 2+ signals in hippocampal CA1 neurons while recognizing were increased, and the fluorescence intensity of Ca 2+ in hippocampal CA1 neurons was decreased in SAE+ EA group ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the parameters mentioned above between SAE group and SAE+ SEA group ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which electroacupuncture alleviates SAE may be related to regulation of Ca 2+ homeostasis in hippocampal neurons of mice.

Relationship between Kapβ2-mediated nuclear translocation of hnRNPA2/B1 and sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity: a cellular experiment / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between Karyopherin β2 (Kapβ2)-mediated nuclear translocation of nuclear inhomogeneous ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2/B1) and sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity in a cellular experiment.Methods:The mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22 cells were inoculated in confocal culture dishes and 6-well culture plates at a density of 2×10 5 cells/well and 1×10 6 cells/well and divided into 4 groups( n=12 each) by a random number table method: control group (GFP-C group) carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) with empty adenovirus transfection, sevoflurane group (GFP-Sev group) carrying GFP with empty adenovirus transfection, control group (GFP-Sev group) transfected with Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus, and sevoflurane group (Kapβ2-Sev group) transfected with Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus. After 48 h of conventional incubation, empty adenovirus-carrying GFP (GFP-C and GFP-Sev groups) and Kapβ2 gene-overexpressing adenovirus (Kapβ2-C and Kapβ2-Sev groups) were transfected. After 48 h of transfection, the cells were conventionally incubated continuously in GFP-C and Kapβ2-C groups, and the cells were incubated for 3 h with 3% sevoflurane and then were conventionally incubated for 48 h in GFP-Sev and Kapβ2-Sev groups. The expression of Kapβ2, synaptophysin (SYP), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) and hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio were measured in cells by Western blot. Immunofluorescence assay was used for hnRNPA2/B1 subcellular localization. Results:Compared with GFP-C group, the expression of SYP and PSD95 was significantly down-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was decreased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was up-regulated in GFP-Sev group, and Kapβ2 expression was significantly up-regulated in Kapβ2-C group ( P<0.05). Compared with Kapβ2-C group, the expression of SYP and PSD95 was significantly down-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was decreased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was up-regulated in Kapβ2-Sev group ( P<0.05). Compared with GFP-Sev group, the expression of Kapβ2, SYP and PSD95 was significantly up-regulated, hnRNPA2/B1 nucleoplasmic ratio was increased, and cytoplasmic hnRNPA2/B1 expression was down-regulated in Kapβ2-Sev group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Kapβ2-mediated hnRNPA2/B1 nuclear translocation may be the endogenous protective mechanism against sevoflurane-induced brain neurotoxicity.

Arousal mechanism after sevoflurane anesthesia in rats: orexinergic modulation in dorsal raphe nucleus by optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To investigate the arousal mechanism after sevoflurane anesthesia using orexinergic modulation in dorsal raphe nucleus(DRN) by optogenetic and chemogenetic techniques in rats.Methods:Forty-five healthy male Hcrt-Cre rats, aged 10-12 weeks, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into 6 groups by the random number table method: optical-excitatory group (CHR2 group, n=5), optical-inhibitory group (eNpHR group, n=5), optical-control group (O-CON group, n=5); chemogenetic-excitatory group (hm3Dq group, n=10), chemogenetic-inhibitory group (hm4Di group, n=10) and chemogenetic-control group (C-CON group, n=10). The optogenetic or chemogenetic techniques were used in each group. Three weeks after injecting the rat virus, anesthesia was induced and maintained with 2.7% sevoflurane anesthesia in 1.5 L/min O 2, and the EEG data were continuously recorded throughout the process. The burst suppression ratio (%BSR) was recorded at 2 min before and of laser stimulation. Combining optogenetic and chemogenetic strategies, it was investigated that whether activation of orexinergic projection to DRN could modulate anesthetic behaviors during sevoflurane anesthesia. Results:Compared with C-CON group, the recovery of righting reflex (RORR) time was significantly shortened after sevoflurane anesthesia in hm3Dq group ( P<0.05), and the RORR time was significantly prolonged after sevoflurane anesthesia in hm4Di group and eNpHR group ( P<0.05). Compared with O-CON group or the baseline at 2 min before light stimulation, the %BSR was significantly decreased during 473nm laser stimulation in CHR2 group ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant change was found in the %BSR during 473nm laser stimulation in eNpHR group ( P>0.05). Compared with O-CON group, the RORR time was significantly shortened after sevoflurane anesthesia in CHR2 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Lateral hypothalamic area orexin-DRN neural circuit plays a key role in promoting arousal from general anesthesia in rats.

Progress in research on neuroprotective mechanism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and analogues in Parkinson's disease / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Parkinson's disease(PD)is the second common neurodegenerative disease that mostly occurs in middle-aged and elderly people. Currently,Levodopa is the main first-line treatment drug,but the long-term efficacy of patients is not good,and even side effects such as“on-off”phenomenon and orthostatic hypotension occur. Glucagon-like peptide-1receptor agonists(GLP-1RA)and analogues are endogenous peptide hormones that can be released into the blood and enter the central nervous system to exert neuroprotection by crossing the blood-brain barrier. Numerous studies have shown that GLP-1RA can improve movement disorders and restore dopaminergic neuron activity in PD. However,the mechanism of GLP-1RA is not yet fully clear. This paper summarized the mechanism of GLP-1RA and its analogues in improving PD movement disorders and restoring dopaminergic neuron activity,and reviewed the aspects of reducing neuroinflammation,inhibiting oxidative stress,inhibiting apoptosis,regulating mitochondrial morphology,increasing neuronal protrusions,enhancing autophagy,and regulating intestinal flora homeostasis,so as to provide new ideas for research of the mechanisms of PD and development of GLP-1RA-related new drugs.

Hippocampus: Molecular, Cellular, and Circuit Features in Anxiety / 神经科学通报·英文版

Anxiety disorders are currently a major psychiatric and social problem, the mechanisms of which have been only partially elucidated. The hippocampus serves as a major target of stress mediators and is closely related to anxiety modulation. Yet so far, its complex anatomy has been a challenge for research on the mechanisms of anxiety regulation. Recent advances in imaging, virus tracking, and optogenetics/chemogenetics have permitted elucidation of the activity, connectivity, and function of specific cell types within the hippocampus and its connected brain regions, providing mechanistic insights into the elaborate organization of the hippocampal circuitry underlying anxiety. Studies of hippocampal neurotransmitter systems, including glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems, have contributed to the interpretation of the underlying neural mechanisms of anxiety. Neuropeptides and neuroinflammatory factors are also involved in anxiety modulation. This review comprehensively summarizes the hippocampal mechanisms associated with anxiety modulation, based on molecular, cellular, and circuit properties, to provide tailored targets for future anxiety treatment.

Construction of iPSC-derived Inhibitory Neural Network Tissue with Synaptic Transmission Potentials / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveDirected differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells （hiPSCs） into spinal cord γ-aminobutyric acid （GABA）-ergic progenitor cells were implanted into an decellularized optical nerve （DON） bioscaffold to construct a hiPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic activities. This study aimed to provide a novel stem cell-based tissue engineering product for the study and the repair of central nervous system injury. MethodsThe combination of stepwise directional induction and tissue engineering technology was applied in this study. After hiPSCs were directionally induced into human neural progenitor cells （hNPCs） in vitro， they were seeded into a DON for three-dimensional culture， allowing further differentiation into inhibitory GABAergic neurons under the specific neuronal induction environment. Transmission electron microscopy and whole cell patch clamp technique were used to detect whether the hiPSCs differentiated neurons could form synapse-like structures and whether these neurons had spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents， respectively， in order to validate that the hiPSC-derived neurons would form neural networks with synaptic transmission potentials from a structural and functional perspective. ResultsThe inhibitory neurons of GABAergic phenotype were successfully induced from hiPSCs in vitro， and maintained good viability after 28 days of culture. With the transmission electron microscopy， it was observed that many cell junctions were formed between hiPSC-derived neural cells in the three-dimensional materials， some of which presented a synapse- like structure， manifested as the slight thickness of cell membrane and a small number of vesicles within one side of the cell junctions， the typical structure of a presynatic component， and focal thickness of the membrane of the other side of the cell junctions， a typical structure of a postsynaptic component. According to whole-cell patch-clamp recording， the hiPSC-derived neurons had the capability to generate action potentials and spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents were recorded in this biotissue. ConclusionsThe results of this study indicated that hiPSCs can be induced to differentiate into GABAergic progenitor cells in vitro and can successfully construct iPSC-derived inhibitory neural network tissue with synaptic transmission after implanted into a DON for three-dimensional culture. This study would provide a novel neural network tissue for future research and treatment of central nervous system injury by stem cell tissue engineering technology.