Effect of Moxibustion Treatment on Degree Centrality in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common neurological disorder. Moxibustion has been shown to be effective in treating MCI, but its therapeutic mechanisms still remain unclear. This study mainly aimed to investigate the modulation effect of moxibustion treatment for patients with MCI by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods: A total of 47 patients with MCI and 30 healthy controls (HCs) participated in resting-state fMRI imaging (rs-fMRI) scans. Patients with MCI were randomly divided into true moxibustion group (TRUE, n = 30) and sham moxibustion group (SHAM, n = 17). The degree centrality (DC) approach was applied to distinguish altered brain functions. Correlation analysis was then performed to examine the relationships between the neuroimaging findings and clinical symptoms. Results: Compared with HCs, patients with MCI mainly showed decreased DC in the left middle frontal cortex (MFC) and bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC). After moxibustion treatment, the SHAM group had no significant DC findings, while TRUE group mainly showed significant increased DC in the bilateral MFC and MCC, as well as decreased DC in the left middle occipital cortex (MOC). Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant interactions between the two groups of patients with MCI. In addition, the higher Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was significantly positively correlated with increased DC in the right MFC and left MCC after moxibustion treatment. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the potential value of moxibustion treatment on MCI, which adds new insights into the popular view that moxibustion treatment may slow cognitive decline in patients with MCI.

Hypothalamic-related neural mechanism in lifelong premature ejaculation and trends following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor administration.

Lifelong premature ejaculation patients had altered structural and functional parameters of the hypothalamus compared with healthy controls. The patients showed increased hypothalamus-related functional connectivity in several regions one hour after dapoxetine administration. The changing trends of the brain functional connectivity after dapoxetine administration possibly provided important information about the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor effects on the functional neural system.

Altered functional connectivity density in mild cognitive impairment with moxibustion treatment: A resting-state fMRI study.

PURPOSE: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a general neurodegenerative disease. Moxibustion has been shown to have remarkable effect on cognitive improvement, however, less is known about the effect of moxibustion on MCI and its underlying neural mechanism. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative brain network in MCI after treatments of acupoint-related moxibustion. METHODS: Resting-state functional MRI were derived from 47 MCI patients and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Patients were randomized as Tiaoshen YiZhi (TSYZ, n = 27) and sham (SHAM, n = 20) acupoint moxibustion groups. Functional connectivity density (FCD) method and repeated-measures two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to ascertain the interaction effects between groups (TSYZ and SHAM) and time (baseline and post-treatment). Abnormal FCD was examined between baseline and post-treatment in TSYZ and SHAM groups, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with HCs, MCI showed altered FCD in the middle frontal cortex (MFC), inferior frontal cortex, temporal pole, thalamus and middle cingulate cortex. After moxibustion treatment in MCI, 1) a significant time-by-groups interaction was observed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); 2) abnormal long-range FCD (lrFCD) in the mPFC and MFC were modulated in TSYZ group; 3) significantly improved clinical symptoms; 4) changed lrFCD in the MFC was significantly negatively correlated with the increased Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores in TSYZ group. CONCLUSIONS: These imaging findings suggest that treatments of acupoint-related moxibustion could improve lrFCD in certain regions related to self-related cognitive and decision making. Our study might promote understanding of MCI neural mechanisms and expand the clinical application of moxibustion in MCI.

Characterization of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and coculture with Lactobacillus plantarum for mulberry beverage brewing.

One elite γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) producing strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae SC125 was isolated and identified from Chinese traditional paocai. S. cerevisiae SC125 and Lactobacillus plantarum BC114 were used as cooperative species to ferment mulberry (Morus alba L.) and produce a novel beverage enriched with GABA. The GABA, organic acids and volatile compounds in different fermentation stages were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and headspace solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). It was noted that coculture changed the profiles of flavor compounds in mulberry beverage. The tartaric and succinic acid contents increased to 1.34 g/L and 0.39 g/L, respectively. Lactic, malic, citric, and oxalic acid levels ranged between 0.92 and 2.56 g/L, and ethanol and glycerol were produced at 2.66 g/L and 1.81 g/L, respectively. More volatile compounds were detected in the coculture with significantly enhanced concentrations of fruity esters including ethyl caproate, ethyl propionate, butyl acetate, ethyl butyrate, ethyl caprylate and ethyl caprate, and alcohols of phenylethyl alcohol, 1-pentanol and 2-amino-1,3-propanediol. Also, a yield of 2.42 g/L GABA was achieved in the coculture. In conclusion, S. cerevisiae SC125 and L. plantarum BC114 coculture promotes the production of flavor compounds and GABA in mulberry beverage brewing.

[Effects of Serum Containing Qinbai Qinfei Concentrated Pellets on Expressions of NLRP3 Inflammasome in RAW264.7 Cells Infected with Mycoplasma pneumonia].

Objective: To investigate the effects of serum containing Qinbai Qingfei concentrated pellets on expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome in RAW264. 7 cells infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae( MP) IL-1ß. Methods: RAW264. 7 cells were randomly divided into normal group, MP model group and serum containing Qinbai Qinfei concentrated pellets group. RAW264. 7 cells and MP strain were cultured utilizing normal methods, preparation of serum containing Qinbai,with 1∶ 10 multiplicity of infection( MOI) of MP stimulation on RAW264. 7 cells; cells of each group were collected at 8,16,24 h respectively. The expressions of NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA were detected by the method of FQ-PCR. The expressions of NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 p20 protein were detected by Westernblot. The content of IL-1ß in the supernatant was measured by ELISA. Results: Compared with the normal group, he levels of NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA were significantly increased in the model group at 8,16,24 h respectively( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01); while the levels of NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 p20 protein were increased significantly( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01) at 16,24 h, and the levels of IL-1ß were increased at significantly( P < 0. 01) 24 h. Compared with the model group, the levels of NLRP3,ASC and Caspase-1 mRNA were significantly reduced in serum containing Qinbai Qinfei concentrated pellets group at 16,24 h( P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01); the expressions of NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1 p20 protein and the content of IL-1ß were all decreased at 24 h.Conclusion: The mechanism of antiMycoplasma pneumoniae action of Qinbai may be related to the down-regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome expressions.

Gastrodin inhibits cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells and attenuates neointima formation in vivo.

Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays a critical role in the development of vascular diseases. In the present study, we tested the efficacy and the mechanisms of action of gastrodin, a bioactive component of the Chinese herb Gastrodia elata Bl, in relation to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-dependent cell proliferation and neointima formation after acute vascular injury. Cell experiments were performed with VSMCs isolated from rat aortas. WST and BrdU incorporation assays were used to evaluate VSMC proliferation. Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were used for the animal experiments. Gastrodin (150 mg/kg/day) was administered in the animal chow for 14 days, and the mice were subjected to wire injury of the left carotid artery. Our data demonstrated that gastrodin attenuated the VSMC proliferation induced by PDGF-BB, as assessed by WST assay and BrdU incorporation. Gastrodin influenced the S-phase entry of VSMCs and stabilised p27Kip1 expression. In addition, pre-incubation with sinomenine prior to PDGF-BB stimulation led to increased smooth muscle-specific gene expression, thereby inhibiting VSMC dedifferentiation. Gastrodin treatment also reduced the intimal area and the number of PCNA-positive cells. Furthermore, PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, Akt and GSK3ß was suppressed by gastrodin. Our results suggest that gastrodin can inhibit VSMC proliferation and attenuate neointimal hyperplasia in response to vascular injury. Furthermore, the ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and Akt/GSK3ß signalling pathways were found to be involved in the effects of gastrodin.

Development and preclinical evaluation of a new F(ab')2 antitoxin against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A.

Concern about the malicious applications of botulinum neurotoxin has highlighted the need for a new generation of safe and highly potent antitoxins. In this study, we developed and evaluated the preclinical pharmacology and safety of a new F(ab')2 antitoxin against botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (BoNT/A). As an alternative to formalin-inactivated toxoid, the recombinant Hc domain of botulinum neurotoxin serotype A (rAHc) was used to immunize horses, and the IgGs from the hyperimmune sera were digested to obtain F(ab')2 antitoxin. The protective effect of the new F(ab')2 antitoxin against BoNT/A was determined both in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that the F(ab')2 antitoxin could prevent botulism in mice challenged with BoNT/A and effectively delayed progression of paralysis from botulism in the therapeutic setting. The preclinical safety of the new F(ab')2 antitoxin was also evaluated, and it showed neither harmful effects on vital functions nor adverse effects such as acute toxicity, or immunological reactions in mice and dogs. Thus, our results provide valuable experimental data for this new antitoxin as a potential candidate for treatment of botulism caused by BoNT/A, and our findings support the safety of the new F(ab')2 antitoxin for clinical use. Our study further demonstrates the proof of concept for development of a similar strategy for obtaining potent antitoxin against other BoNT serotypes.