Effects of electroacupuncture with different courses on the synaptic structure and synaptic function-related proteins in mice with radiation-induced brain injury / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different courses of electroacupuncture on synaptic structure and synaptic function-related proteins expression in the hippocampal CA1 region of radiation-induced brain injury mice. Sixty C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into control group, radiation-induced brain injury model group, 1-week electroacupuncture group (EA1), 2-week electroacupuncture group (EA2), 3-week electroacupuncture group (EA3), and electroacupuncture-control (EA-Ctrl) group. The mice in model group were exposed to X-ray irradiation (8 Gy, 10 min) to establish radiation-induced brain injury model. The mice in EA groups were acupunctured at electroacupuncture points (Baihui, Fengfu and bilateral Shenshu) for 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks respectively after radiation. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe synaptic structure in hippocampal CA1 region. The expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synapsin-1 and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95) in the hippocampal CA1 region of each group were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The results showed that the nuclear gap in model and EA-Ctrl groups was significantly decreased compared to control group, however nucleus to cytoplasm ratio was significantly increased. The synaptic cleft, postsynaptic density (PSD) thickness, the mitochondrial surface density, volume density and specific surface area were significantly reduced. Compared with model group, the nucleus to cytoplasm ratio of EA2 group was significantly decreased, the PSD thickness and mitochondrial volume density were significantly increased; the nuclear gap of EA3 group was significantly increased, nucleus to cytoplasm ratio was significantly decreased, synaptic cleft and PSD thickness were significantly increased, and the mitochondrial surface density and specific surface area were all increased significantly. In addition, compared with the control group, the gene and protein expressions of BDNF, synapsin-1 and PSD95 in the hippocampal CA1 region of the model group and EA-Ctrl group were significantly decreased. However, compared with the model group, the gene expression of synapsin-1 in EA groups was significantly up-regulated, the gene expression of BDNF in EA1 and EA2 groups was significantly up-regulated, and the gene expression of PSD95 in EA2 group was significantly up-regulated. Moreover, the protein expressions of BDNF, synapsin-1 and PSD95 of EA groups were significantly up-regulated compared with the model group. These results indicate that the synaptic structure and the expression of synaptic function-related proteins in hippocampal CA1 region were injured by radiation exposure, whereas electroacupuncture intervention can significantly improve the synaptic structure and function damage caused by radiation.

Pharmacological Mechanism of Xiao Xianxiongtang in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To explore the pharmacological mechanism of Xiao Xianxiongtang in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by network pharmacology. Method::The main active ingredients, corresponding targets and target genes of Xiao Xianxiongtang were searched on Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) website. Relevant target genes of T2DM were obtained through Gene Cards. The targets of drug active ingredients were mapped to the targets of T2DM, and the intersection targets were obtained as the predictive targets of Xiao Xianxiongtang on T2DM. Cytoscape 3.7.1 software was used to construct the drug active ingredient-intersection target network model and select the key active ingredients. Interactive protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by STRING website, and key target genes were selected. Gene function analysis (GO) and enrichment analysis based on the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway were performed on the intersecting targets using DAVID6.8 online tool. Result::Xiao Xianxiongtang had 30 active ingredients, 156 relevant targets, 14 key active ingredients and 18 key target genes on T2DM. GO analysis showed that the biological functions of Xiao Xianxiongtang in the treatment of potential genes of T2DM mainly involved transcriptional regulation, oxidative stress, protein binding and inflammatory reaction. KEGG pathway enrichment showed that the main pathways of Xiao Xianxiongtang in the treatment of T2DM were hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and thyroid hormone signaling pathway, phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tyrosine kinase receptor2(ErbB) signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Conclusion: Xiao Xianxiongtang is a multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway process in the treatment of T2DM. It plays an important role in the treatment of T2DM by regulating transcription, oxidative stress, protein binding and inflammatory reaction. Conclusion::The mechanism of Xiao Xianxiongtang in treating T2DM may alleviate insulin resistance, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors, participating in anti-inflammatory response, reducing oxidative stress, increasing intracellular calcium concentration, blocking glucagon signaling pathway and activating PI3K/Akt pathway.

Study on Mechanism of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang in Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Network Pharmacology / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on network pharmacology. Method: Major chemical constituents, corresponding targets and target genes of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang were obtained by Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology(TCMSP), and target genes of type 2 diabetes mellitus were obtained by GeneCards. The target genes of drug and disease were mapped to predict target genes of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cytoscape3.7.1 software was used to construct the compound-target network and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) of traditional Chinese medicine. Gene ontology (GO) analysis of potential genes and enrichment analysis of gene encyclopedia kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway were carried out using DAVID 6.8 online tool. Result: There were 17 active ingredients, 94 related targets, 17 key active ingredients and 16 key targets in Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang on type 2 diabetes mellitus. GO analysis showed that the biological functions of potential genes of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang in the treatment of type 2 diabetes were mainly related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, protein binding, inflammatory reaction, et al. KEGG pathway enrichment results showed that the pathways of potential genes of Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mainly involved hypoxia inducible factor(HIF), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt), nuclear transcription factor-кB(NF-кB), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) signaling pathways. Conclusion: Dahuang Huanglian Xiexintang is a complex process of multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. It plays an important role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus by participating in oxidative stress, apoptosis, protein binding and inflammatory reaction.

Effect on sperm quality of asthenospermia and oligospermia treated with grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy for asthenospermia and oligospermia.@*METHODS@#A tatal of 60 patients were randomized into an observation group (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases) according to 1︰1 ratio. In the control group, vitamin E capsules were taken orally one capsule each time, twice a day, and pills 6 g each time, three times a day for a total of 3 months. In the observation group, grain-moxibustion was applied at Guanyuan (CV 4)，Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) based on the control group, once a week for 3 months, with a total of 12 times. The sperm concentration and sperm progressive motility were measured by automatic sperm quality analysis system in the two groups, and the clinical effects were compared. Sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) in the observation group was measured by sperm nucleus chromosome structure assay (SCSA).@*RESULTS@#①The sperm concentrations and sperm progressive motilities after 1-month, 2-month and 3-month of treatment were increased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (<0.01), and they were increased with time. In the two groups, 2-month and 1-month of treatment, 3-month and 2-month of treatment were compared, the sperm concentrations and sperm progressive motilities were significantly increased (<0.01). The sperm concentrations after 1-month, 2-month and 3-month of treatment in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (<0.01), the sperm progressive motility after 3-month of treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). ②After 3-month of treatment，the DFI in the observation group was significantly reduced compared with that before treatment (<0.01). ③The total effective rate in the observation group after 3-month of treatment was 86.7% (26/30), which was superior to 63.3% (19/30) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Grain-moxibustion combined with medicine therapy can improve sperm concentration and sperm progressive motility, enhance the integrity of sperm DNA.

Prospect and application of microsatellite population genetics in study of geoherbs / 中国中药杂志

The author introduces the basic concepts of microsatellite and population genetics and its characteristics, expounds the application of these theories for population genetic structure and genetic diversity, gene flow and evolutionary significant unit ESU division research. This paper discuss its applicationin study of genetic causes, origin of cultivation, different regional origins of geoherbs, aiming at providing a new theory and method for geoherbs.

Polymorphisms of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene and clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in Chinese population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), a key enzyme involved in the catabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), is the attractive candidate for pharmacogenetic research on efficacies and toxicities of 5-FU. The aim of this study is to explore the association between polymorphisms of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) and clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy in the Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three hundred and sixty-two patients with gastric cancer in the Chinese population were treated with fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The single nucleotide polymorphic genotypes of DPYD were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) using DNA samples isolated from peripheral blood collected before treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average response rate for chemotherapy was 46.7%. A significantly different distribution of the rs1801159 (c2=8.76, P=0.012) genotypes was observed. Homozygous genotype rs1801159A/A was over-represented in responsive patients. Conversely, carriers of the rs1801159A/G genotype were prevalent in non-responsive patients. In the haplotype association analysis, there was significant difference in global haplotype distribution between the groups (c2=3.96, P=0.0465).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These results suggest that polymorphisms of rs1801159 in DPYD may be used as valuable predictors of the response to fluorouracil-based chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients in the Chinese population. Well-designed, comprehensive, and prospective studies on determining these polymorphisms of DPYD as predictive markers for gastric cancer in response to fluorouracil-based therapies are warranted.</p>