[Current status of animal experiment report of acupuncture intervention in chronic fatigue syndrome based on ARRIVE guidelines and GSPC list].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the current status of animal experiments of acupuncture in intervening chronic fatigue syndrome, so as to search formethods to improve the quality of animal experiment reports. METHODS: From the databases, such as CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, SinoMed, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library, the literature of animal experiment on acupuncture treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome was searched from January 1st, 2011 to April 2nd, 2022. Data were extracted according to the animal research reporting in vivo experiment (ARRIVE) guidelines 2.0 and gold standard publication checklist (GSPC), and statistical analysis was performed using Excel 2019. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were finally included. The satis-faction rate of essential items in the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 is 41.76%，while the satisfaction rate of recommended items is only 27.73% and of the GSPC is 25.89%. Out of 16 studies, 13 of them explained the reasons for animal exclusion in the experiment, 8 provided specific randomized methods, 8 described detailed information on animal species, strains, and quantities, 3 basically indicated that they had passed ethical review, 7 explained the limitations of the research. All 16 studies reported the main findings and elucidated their potential clinical or scientific value. CONCLUSION: Current animal studies on acupuncture in intervening the chronic fatigue syndrome are of certain limitation. Descriptions of multiple items are incomplete or missing, which prevents rea-ders from assessing reliability and authenticity of the animal experiment. It is recommended that in future research, experimental design, execution and report should be carried out according to the report guidelines for animal experiment to improve research quality.

Mechanism of action of Daqinjiao decoction in treating cerebral small vessel disease explored using network pharmacology and molecular docking technology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a clinically commonly-seen slow-progressing cerebral vascular disease. As a classic Chinese formula for the treatment of stroke, Daqinjiao Decoction (DQJD) is now used to treat CSVD with desirable effect. Since the mechanism of action is still unclear, this article will explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of the formula using network pharmacology technology. METHODS: The major chemical components and potential target genes of DQJD were screened by bioinformatics. The key targets in CSVD were identified based on network modules. Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were performed. Pharmacodynamics of the decoction was evaluated by establishing a rat model with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in the brain. Molecular docking, Western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) were performed to confirm the effectiveness of targets in related pathways. RESULTS: Network pharmacology showed that 16 targets and 30 pathways were involved in the DQJD-targeted pathway network. Results revealed that DQJD might play a role by targeting the key targets including Caspse3 and P53 and regulating the P53 signaling pathway. Cognitive function and neuronal cell changes of rats were evaluated using Morris water maze, open field test and HE staining. It was indicated that DQJD could keep the nerve cells intact and neatly arranged. The decoction could improve the memory and learning ability of rats compared with the model group. It decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Caspse3 and P53 significantly (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The study shows that baicalein, quercetin and wogonin, the effective components of DQJD, may regulate multiple signaling pathways by targeting the targets like Caspse3 and P53 and treat CSVD by reducing the damage to brain nerve cells.

Nanosize of zinc oxide and the effects on zinc digestibility, growth performances, immune response and serum parameters of weanling piglets.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of nanosize zinc on zinc digestibility, growth performances, immune response and serum parameters of weanling piglets. Ninety-six LYD weanling piglets were assigned to control, zinc oxide (ZnO), organic-Zn (Zn-methionine) and nanosize ZnO (nano-Zn) groups with four replicates. The zinc was at the 120 mg/kg level in the treatment group's diet, while the control group's was 80 mg/kg Zn. The experiment results indicated that the nano-Zn and organic-Zn groups had significantly higher Zn digestibility compared to the ZnO and control groups. For the immune response traits, the IgG level and goat red blood cells (GRBC) antibody titer were nano-Zn and organic-Zn>ZnO>control; in the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) challenge test result, nano-Zn>organic-Zn>ZnO>control; in regard to the γ-globulin level, nano-Zn and organic-Zn>ZnO and control, with significant difference between groups. In the serum parameters aspect, serum Zn concentration in nano-Zn and organic-Zn groups were higher than in the ZnO and control groups, serum growth hormone concentration was increased in the nano-Zn group than in the other groups. In conclusion, nanosize zinc oxide for dietary supplementation can increase zinc digestibility, serum growth hormone levels and carbonic anhydrase activity and enhance the immune response of weanling piglets.

Electroacupuncture-Induced Neuroprotection against Cerebral Ischemia in Rats: Role of the Dopamine D2 Receptor.

Background. Cerebral ischemia is known to produce brain damage and related behavioural deficits, including memory deficits and motor disorders. Evidence shows that EA significantly promotes recovery of neurological function and thus improves quality of life. Objective. Evidence exists for the involvement of catecholamines in human neuroplasticity. A better understanding of dopaminergic (DAergic) modulation in this process will be important. Methods. A total of 72 adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 6 groups: normal, model, EA, spiperone group, EA + spiperone group, and pergolide. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used in all 6 groups except the normal group. A behavioural assessment was conducted at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after MCAO. The percent of brain infarct area was also determined 7 days after MCAO. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) fluorescence double labeling was performed in the striatum. Results. In this study, we found that EA at Fengchi (GB20) acupoints resulted in marked improvements based on a behavioural assessment. Both TTC staining and GAP-43 immunofluorescence labeling results showed that EA treatment reduced ischemia injury and promoted neuroplasticity compared with the model group. The D2R-selective agonist, pergolide, showed similar results, but these results were reversed by the D2R-selective antagonist, spiperone. We also found that there were more colocalization and expression of GAP-43 and TH in the EA and pergolide groups than those in the other groups. Conclusion. These results suggest that the neuroplasticity induced by EA was mediated by D2 autoreceptors in DAergic neurons.