PM2.5 induced neurotoxicity through unbalancing vitamin B12 metabolism by gut microbiota disturbance.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the atmosphere is easily accompanied by toxic and harmful substances, causing serious harm to human health, including cognitive impairment. Vitamin B12 (VitB12) is an essential micronutrient that is synthesized by bacteria and contributes to neurotransmitter synthesis as a nutrition and signaling molecule. However, the relationship between VitB12 attenuation of cognitive impairment and intestinal microbiota regulation in PM2.5 exposure has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that PM2.5 caused behavioral defects and neuronal damage in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), along with significant gene expression changes in neurotransmitter receptors and a decrease in VitB12 content, causing behavioral defects and neuronal damage in C. elegans. Methylcobalamin (MeCbl), a VitB12 analog, alleviated PM2.5-induced neurotoxicity in C. elegans. Moreover, using in vivo and in vitro models, we discovered that long-term exposure to PM2.5 led to changes in the structure of the gut microbiota, resulting in an imbalance of the VitB12-associated metabolic pathway followed by cognitive impairment. MeCbl supplementation could increase the diversity of the bacteria, reduce harmful substance contents, and restore the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and neurotransmitters to the level of the control group to some degree. Here, a new target to mitigate the harm caused by PM2.5 was discovered, supplying MeCbl for relieving intestinal and intracellular neurotransmitter disorders. Our results also provide a reference for the use of VitB12 to target the adjustment of the human intestinal microbiota to improve metabolic disorders in people exposed to PM2.5.

[Effect of Wei's triple nine needling on eye regulation in patients with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between Wei's triple nine needling combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops and esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops alone for presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency. METHODS: Forty-six cases (92 eyes) with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency were randomly divided into an observation group (23 cases) and a control group (23 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The cases in the observation group were treated with Wei's triple nine needling and esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops. The acupoints included Shangming (Extra), Chengqi (ST 1), Cuanzhu (BL 2) to Jingming (BL 1), Sizhukong (TE 23) to Taiyang (EX-HN 5), etc; the needling was given once every other day, three times a week, and the eye drops were given one drop each time, three times a day. The cases in the control group were only treated with the eye drops. Both groups were treated for 7 days as one course of treatment, and 2 courses of treatment were given. The visual fatigue core symptoms score, adjustment amplitude, adjustment lag and best average corrected visual acuity were observed in the two groups before treatment, 1 week and 2 weeks into treatment, respectively. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the visual fatigue core symptoms scores in the two groups were decreased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05); in the observation group, the adjustment amplitude was increased after 2-week treatment (P<0.05), while in the control group, the adjustment amplitude was increased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05); in the observation group, the adjustment lag was decreased after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P<0.05). After 2-week treatment, the visual fatigue core symptoms score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, and the adjustment amplitude was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in adjustment lag and best average corrected visual acuity between the two groups after 1-week and 2-week treatment (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Wei's triple nine needling combined with esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops could improve the visual fatigue and eye regulation ability in patients with presbyopia complicated with visual fatigue of liver depression and spleen deficiency, and the effect is better than esculin and digitalis glycosides eye drops alone.

[Therapeutic effect of Wei's triple nine needling combined with medication on optic atrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Wei 's triple nine needling on visual acuity and visual field in patients with optic atrophy. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with optic atrophy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases in each one. Treatment of Wei 's triple nine needling combined with conventional medication were adopted in the observation group, conventional medication was given in the control group. Treatment for 4 weeks was required in both groups. Before treatment and 2, 4 weeks into treatment, the visual acuity and visual field were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 57.8% (26/45) in the observation group, which was superior to 28.9% (13/45) in the control group (P<0.05). After 2-week and 4-week treatment, the visual acuity was improved (P<0.01), the mean defect (MD) of visual field was decreased (P<0.01), the mean sensitivity (MS) of visual field was increased in the observation group (P<0.05, P<0.01). After 2-week and 4-week treatment, the visual acuity and the MD of visual field were improved (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the difference of MS of visual field compared before treatment had no statistical significance in the control group (P>0.05). The improvement of visual acuity, MD and MS of visual field after 2-week and 4-week into treatment in the observation group were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Wei 's triple nine needling can effectively improve the visual acuity and the defect of visual field in patients with optic atrophy.

[Acupuncture prescription of "Wei's triple nine needling therapy" in the treatment of optic nerve disease].

"Wei 's triple nine needling therapy" is the crucial acupuncture prescription in treatment of eye diseases in Wei 's academic school of ophthalmology. "Wei 's triple nine needling therapy" includes the three points near to the eyes, the three groups of points for penetrating acupuncture around the eyes and the acupoint selection based on the general differentiation of syndrome. In this paper, the acupoint selection and the thinking of acupoint combination were introduced in the treatment of optic nerve disease on the base of the theory of "Wei 's triple nine needling" prescription. The specific needling manipulations at different regions involved in the triple needling procedure were explained in detail. It is proposed that the acupoints are combined and the correct needling manipulations selected rationally in compliance with the illness condition and the syndrome characteristics to ensure maximally the clinical effects of "Wei 's triple nine needling therapy".