ABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Depression is a prevalent stress disorder, yet the underlying physiological mechanisms linking stress to appetite and weight loss remain elusive. While most antidepressants are associated with excessive weight and appetite gain, sertraline (SER) exhibits a lower risk of these side effects. Metacinnabar (ß-HgS), the primary component of Tibetan medicine Zuotai, has been shown to enhance mice's resilience against external stress without causing excessive increases in weight or appetite. However, the precise physiological pathway through which ß-HgS restores appetite and weight in stressed mice remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of ß-HgS in ameliorating weight loss and appetite suppression induced by pressure stimulation in mice, as well as elucidate its potential mechanisms of action. METHODS: The present study employed chronic restraint stress (CRS) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) as experimental models to simulate environmental stress encountered in daily life. Subsequently, a series of experiments were conducted, including behavior tests, HE staining of rectal and hippocampal pathological sections, detection of depression-related biological indicators, analysis of intestinal flora diversity, as well as metabolomics analysis of hippocampal and intestinal contents. RESULT: Dysregulation of glycerophospholipid metabolism may represent the principal pathway underlying reduced appetite, body weight, neurotransmitter and appetite hormone levels, heightened inflammatory response, hippocampal and rectal tissue damage, as well as altered composition of intestinal microbiota in stressed mice. Following intervention with SER and ß-HgS in stressed mice, the deleterious effects induced by stress can be ameliorated, in which the medium-dose ß-HgS exhibited superior performance. CONCLUSION: The aforementioned research findings suggest that the stress-induced decrease in appetite and body weight in mice may be associated with dysregulation in glycerophospholipid metabolism connecting the gut-brain axis. ß-HgS exhibits potential in ameliorating depressive-like symptoms in mice subjected to stress, while concurrently restoring their body weight and appetite without inducing excessive augmentation. Its therapeutic effect may also be attributed to its ability to modulate glycerophospholipid metabolism status and exert influence on the gut-brain axis.
ABSTRACT
Cordyceps sinensis, a traditionally prized medicinal fungus, contains polysaccharides as one of its main bioactive constituents, known for their significant immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we systematically investigated the composition and structure of Cordyceps sinensis polysaccharide, followed by an evaluation of its therapeutic effect on depression using a chronic restraint stress-induced depression model. The polysaccharide CSWP-2, extracted via hot water, precipitated with ethanol, and purified using DEAE-cellulose column chromatography from Cordyceps sinensis, is primarily composed of glucose, mannose, and galactose, with α-1,4-D-glucan as its major structural component. Behavioral tests, immunological profiling, metabolomics, and gut microbiota analyses indicated a notable ameliorative effect of CSWP-2 on depressive-like symptoms in mice. Furthermore, the action of CSWP-2 may be attributed to the modulation of the gut microbiome's abundance and its metabolic impacts, thereby transmitting signals to the host immune system and exerting immunomodulatory activity, ultimately contributing to its antidepressant effects.
ABSTRACT
Prolonged confinement in cramped spaces can lead to derangements in brain function/structure, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To investigate, we subjected mice to restraint stress to simulate long-term narrow and enclosed space confinement, assessing their mental state through behavioral tests. Stressed mice showed reduced center travel and dwell time in the Open Field Test and increased immobility in the Tail Suspension Test. We measured lower hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cortical monoamine neurotransmitters (5-HT and NE) in the stressed group. Further examination of the body's immune levels and serum metabolism revealed immune dysregulation and metabolic imbalance in the stressed group. The results of the metabolic network regulation analysis indicate that the targets affected by these differential metabolites are involved in several metabolic pathways that the metabolites themselves participate in, such as the "long-term depression" and "purine metabolism" pathways. Additionally, these targets are also associated with numerous immune-related pathways, such as the TNF, NF-κB, and IL-17 signaling pathways, and these findings were validated using GEO dataset analysis. Molecular docking results suggest that differential metabolites may regulate specific immune factors such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, and these results were confirmed in experiments. Our research findings suggest that long-term exposure to confined and narrow spaces can lead to the development of psychopathologies, possibly mediated by immune system dysregulation and metabolic disruption.
ABSTRACT
(1) Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by ß-amyloid (Aß) peptide accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction during the early stage of disease. PINK1 regulates the balance between mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergy supply and demand via the PINK1/Parkin pathway, Na+/Ca2+ exchange, and other pathways. (2) Methods: In this study, we synthesized positively charged carbon dots (CA-PEI CDs) using citric acid (CA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) and used them as vectors to express PINK1 genes in the APP/PS1-N2a cell line to determine mitochondrial function, electron transport chain (ETC) activity, and ATP-related metabolomics. (3) Results: Our findings showed that the CA-PEI CDs exhibit the characteristics of photoluminescence, low toxicity, and concentrated DNA. They are ideal biological carriers for gene delivery. PINK1 overexpression significantly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential in APP/PS1-N2a cells and reduced reactive-oxygen-species generation and Aß1-40 and Aß1-42 levels. An increase in the activity of NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I, CI) and cytochrome C oxidase (complex IV, CIV) induces the oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria, increasing ATP generation. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate that the PINK gene can alleviate AD by increasing bioenergetic metabolism, reducing Aß1-40 and Aß1-42, and increasing ATP production.
Subject(s)
Adenosine Triphosphate , Carbon , Citric Acid , Polyethyleneimine , Protein Kinases , Quantum Dots , Animals , Humans , Mice , Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism , Alzheimer Disease/genetics , Alzheimer Disease/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics , Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism , Carbon/chemistry , Cell Line , Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial/drug effects , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/drug effects , Polyethyleneimine/chemistry , Protein Kinases/metabolism , Protein Kinases/genetics , Quantum Dots/chemistry , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolismABSTRACT
Sea buckthorn, a traditional medicinal plant, has been used for several years in China for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, a practice closely associated with its significant antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of sea buckthorn flavonoids on vascular endothelial cells in an oxidative stress environment. We isolated and extracted active compounds from sea buckthorn and investigated their impact on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity through the PI3K/AKT-eNOS signaling pathway through a combination of network pharmacology and cellular experiments, elucidating the regulatory effects of these compounds on endothelial cell functions. Three flavonoids, named Fr.4-2-1, Fr.4-2-2 and Fr.4-2-3, were obtained from sea buckthorn. The results of network pharmacology indicated that they might exert their effects by regulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. In vitro results showed that all three flavonoids were effective in alleviating the degree of oxidative stress in cells, among which Fr.4-2-1 exerted its antioxidant effects by modulating the PI3K/AKT-eNOS pathway. Flavonoids in sea buckthorn can effectively inhibit oxidative stress-induced cellular damage, preserving the integrity and functionality of endothelial cells, which is crucial for maintaining vascular health and function.
Subject(s)
Flavonoids , Hippophae , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III , Oxidative Stress , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Signal Transduction , Hippophae/chemistry , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III/metabolism , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Flavonoids/isolation & purification , Flavonoids/chemistry , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Humans , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Antioxidants/chemistry , Antioxidants/isolation & purification , Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/drug effects , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Cell Survival/drug effects , Protective Agents/pharmacology , Protective Agents/chemistry , Protective Agents/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Hirsutella sinensis is the anamorph of Ophiocordyceps sinensis, and its mycelia has been used to effectively treat a variety of hepatobiliary diseases in clinical practice. In the present study, we performed a systematic study on the composition and structure of its polysaccharides, and then employed a TGF-ß1-induced human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cell-epithelial-mesenchymal transition (HIBEC-EMT) model to investigate their effects on treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) based on hepatic bile duct fibrosis. Four polysaccharide fractions were obtained from H. sinensis mycelia by hot-water extraction, DEAE-cellulose column and gradient ethanol precipitation separation. HSWP-1a was an α-(1,4)-D-glucan; HSWP-1b and HSWP-1d mainly consisted of mannoglucans with a backbone composed of 1,4-linked α-D-Glcp and 1,4,6-linked α-D-Manp residues branched at O-6 of the 1,4-linked α-D-Glcp with a 1-linked α-D-Glcp as a side chain; and HSWP-1c mainly contained galactomannoglucans. These polysaccharide fractions protected HIBECs from a TGF-ß1-induced EMT, according to HIBEC morphological changes, cell viability, decreased E-cadherin and ZO-1 expression, and increased vimentin and collagen I expression. Furthermore, the effects of the polysaccharides might be mediated by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathway, which attenuated hepatic bile duct fibrosis and potential PBC effects.
Subject(s)
Cordyceps , Liver Diseases , Humans , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism , Cordyceps/metabolism , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Epithelial Cells , Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/metabolism , Liver Diseases/metabolism , Fibrosis , Polysaccharides/pharmacology , Polysaccharides/metabolism , Mycelium/metabolism , Cadherins/metabolismABSTRACT
Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by endothelial barrier disruption and associated inflammatory responses, and transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6)-mediated Ca2+ influx is critical for endothelial hyperpermeability. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPC6 in LPS-induced ALI, analyzed gene expression in WT and TRPC6-/- lungs using RNA sequencing, and explored the effects of TRPC6 in the LPS-induced hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Intratracheal instillation of LPS caused edema in the mouse lungs. Deletion of TRPC6 reduced LPS-induced lung edema and decreased cell infiltration. RNA sequencing analysis suggested that downregulated cell adhesion molecules in TRPC6-/- lungs may be responsible for their resistance to LPS-induced injury. In addition, downregulation of TRPC6 significantly alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in eNOS expression in lung tissue as well as in HUVECs. Moreover, inhibition of TRPC6 with the channel antagonist larixyl led to a decrease in LPS-induced hyperpermeability and ROS production in HUVECs, which could be reversed by blocking eNOS. Our findings suggest that inhibition of TRPC6 ameliorates LPS-induced ALI, which may be achieved by acting on the cell adhesion molecule signaling pathway and participating in the regulation of eNOS levels in endothelial cells.
Subject(s)
Acute Lung Injury , Transient Receptor Potential Channels , Animals , Humans , Mice , Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced , Acute Lung Injury/genetics , Acute Lung Injury/metabolism , Edema/metabolism , Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism , Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects , Lung/metabolism , Transient Receptor Potential Channels/metabolism , TRPC6 Cation Channel/genetics , TRPC6 Cation Channel/metabolismABSTRACT
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the main types of lung cancer. Ophiocordyceps sinensis has many potentially useful pharmacologic features, such as lung protection, and both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted to investigate-using bioinformatics and in vivo experimental validation-the possible role of O. sinensis against LUAD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained important targets of O. sinensis for the treatment of LUAD using network pharmacology techniques and deep mining of the TCGA database, and validated them by molecular docking techniques and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: Through bioinformatics analysis and research, we screened BRCA1 and CCNE1 as important biomarkers for LUAD and as core targets of O. sinensis against LUAD. The non-small cell lung cancer signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and HIF-1 signaling pathway are potentially important pathways of O. sinensis against LUAD. The molecular docking results showed good binding between the active components in O. sinensis and the two core targets, and the in vivo experimental validation results indicated that O. sinensis had good inhibitory effects in the Lewis lung cancer (LLC) model. CONCLUSIONS: BRCA1 and CCNE1 are crucial biomarkers for LUAD and are important targets for O. sinensis to exert anti-LUAD effects.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma of Lung , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung , Cordyceps , Lung Neoplasms , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/drug therapy , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/metabolism , Computational BiologyABSTRACT
Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The causes are divided into two main areas: congenital genetic factors and acquired environmental factors. Congenital factors include genetic mutations and epigenetic events; acquired factors include birth patterns, feeding patterns, dietary patterns, childhood experiences, education and economic levels, isolation due to epidemics, and many other complex factors. According to studies, these factors play important roles in depression. Therefore, here, we analyze and study the factors from two aspects, describe their influence on individual depression, and analyze their underlying mechanisms. The results showed that both innate and acquired factors have significant effects on the occurrence of depressive disorder, and these findings may provide new ideas and methods for the study of depressive disorder, thus facilitating the process of depression prevention and treatment.
Subject(s)
Depression , Humans , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/genetics , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
There are currently approximately 50 million victims of Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide. The exact cause of the disease is unknown at this time, but amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain are hallmarks of the disease. Current drug treatments for AD may slow the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients, but they are often only minimally effective and are not cures. A major obstacle to developing and delivering more effective drug therapies is the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents many compounds with therapeutic potential from reaching the central nervous system. Nanotechnology may provide a solution to this problem. Among the medical nanomaterials currently being studied, carbon dots (CDs) have attracted widespread attention because of their ability to cross the BBB, non-toxicity, and potential for drug/gene delivery.
Subject(s)
Alzheimer Disease , Humans , Alzheimer Disease/drug therapy , Carbon/pharmacology , Quality of Life , Blood-Brain Barrier , Brain , Pharmaceutical PreparationsABSTRACT
Depression is a common mood disorder that has exhibited an increased incidence rate worldwide, but the overall clinical efficacy of antidepressants remains unsatisfactory. In traditional Ayurveda and Tibetan medicines, ß-HgS-containing medicines have been used to treat neurological diseases for thousands of years, and our previous study found that ß-HgS ameliorated depression-like behaviors in chronic restraint stress (CRS)-treated or chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-treated mice. Hence, present study investigated the effects of ß-HgS combined with the clinical first-line antidepressants, imipramine (IMI) and sertraline (SER), on depression-like symptoms in CRS- and CUMS-co-treated mice. Our results revealed that ß-HgS promoted the antidepressant effect of SER on depression-like behavior in mice, and enhanced its effects on promoting glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and neuronal proliferation in key hippocampal subregions, as well as increasing interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels and decreasing malondialdehyde levels in the sera of stress-stimulated mice. As for IMI, ß-HgS enhanced its effects on preventing atrophy and severe structural damage in the hippocampus, as well as in promoting hippocampal GR levels and neuronal proliferation and serum IL-10 and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Additionally, combination therapy resulted in the increased diversity of important intestinal microbiota compared to that of monotherapy, which may help sustain the health of the digestive tract and reduce inflammation to further enhance the antidepressant effects of IMI and SER in mice.
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A series of ultra-toughened sustainable blends were prepared from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and bromobutyl rubber-based ionomers (i-BIIRs) via reactive blending, in which dicumyl peroxide (DCP) and Joncryl®ADR-4440 (ADR) were used as reactive blending additives. The miscibility, phase morphology and mechanical property of the PLA/i-BIIRs blends were thoroughly investigated through DMA, SEM, tensile and impact tests. The influence of different ionic groups and the effects of DCP and ADR on the compatibility between the phases, phase structure and mechanical properties were analyzed. The introduction of the imidazolium-based ionic groups and the reactive agents enable the i-BIIRs play multiple roles as effective compatibilizers and toughening agents, leading to improved interfacial compatibility and high toughness of the blends. The mechanical properties test showed that the PLA/i-BIIRs blends exhibit excellent toughness: impact strength and the elongation at break of AR-OH(30)+AD reached 95 kJ/m2 and 286%, respectively. The impact fracture surface showed the large-scale plastic deformation of the PLA matrix in the blends, resulting in greatly absorbing the impact energy. The results proved that simultaneously applying reactive blend and multiple intermolecular interactions methods is an effective toughening strategy for toughening modification of the PLA blends.
ABSTRACT
Background: Depression is the most common type of psychological disorder, with continuous, prolonged, and persistent bad moods as the main clinical feature. Cordyceps sinensis is a complex consisting of the ascospores and bodies of insect larvae from the Hepialidae family that have been parasitized by Cordyceps sinensis militaris. Previous studies have reported that this herb has antidepressant activity. The present study used network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques to investigate the potential antidepressant mechanisms of Cordyceps sinensis. Methods: The active ingredients of Cordyceps sinensis were identified using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and the potential targets were predicted using the PharmMapper platform. The GeneCards database was then used to obtain sub-targets for depression. Common targets were screened and enrichment analyses were performed using the Metascape platform. Finally, the relationship between the active ingredients and the core targets were verified by molecular docking. Results: Through network pharmacological analysis, 7 active ingredients in Cordyceps sinensis and 41 common targets of drugs and diseases were identified. The active ingredients of Cordyceps sinensis may exert antidepressant effects by acting on important targets such as catalase (CAT), CREB binding protein (CREBBP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and E1A binding protein P300 (EP300), and by modulating the signaling pathways in which these targets are involved. Subsequently, the core targets were docked to the active ingredients and good binding was observed. Conclusions: The active ingredients of Cordyceps sinensis may exert antidepressant effects by regulating the CREB binding protein and anti-oxidative stress effects. The foxo signaling pathway (hsa04068), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway (hsa04066), and Huntington's disease (hsa05016) may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of Cordyceps sinensis. The joint application of network pharmacology and molecular docking provides a new approach to study the mechanisms of action of traditional Chinese medicine. Cordyceps sinensis may play an important role in the future treatment of patients with depression.
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As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads globally, hospital departments will need take steps to manage their treatment procedures and wards. The preparations of high-risk departments (infection, respiratory, emergency, and intensive care unit) were relatively well within this pandemic, while low-risk departments may be unprepared. The spine surgery department in The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in Hefei, China, was used as an example in this study. The spine surgery department took measures to manage the patients, medical staff and wards to avoid the cross-infection within hospital. During the outbreak, no patients or healthcare workers were infected, and no treatment was delayed due to these measures. The prevention and control measures effectively reduced the risk of nosocomial transmission between health workers and patients while providing optimum care. It was a feasible management approach that was applicable to most low-risk and even high-risk departments.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/prevention & control , Infection Control/methods , Pandemics , Patient Isolation/organization & administration , Patient Isolators/supply & distribution , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/transmission , China/epidemiology , Cross Infection/prevention & control , Disinfection/methods , Disinfection/organization & administration , Health Personnel/education , Humans , Infection Control/organization & administration , Monitoring, Physiologic/instrumentation , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Orthopedic Procedures/instrumentation , Orthopedic Procedures/methods , Patient Isolation/methods , Patients' Rooms/organization & administration , Personal Protective Equipment/supply & distribution , Spine/surgeryABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic may cause psychological distress, changes in numbers and distributions of patients in spine surgery patients, which all affect the strategies of spine surgery treatment. These changes may be related to the number of new COVID-19 cases per day since they are visual indicators of the changes in the epidemic and are of interest to the public. This descriptive research took the spine surgery department as an example in a Grade-A tertiary hospital in Anhui province, China. The number and distribution of patients from January 24 to April 2, 2020 was collected and compared with the past 5 years. A psychological scale was constructed to assess the psychological distress of patients and the number of new COVID-19 cases per day in Anhui, China was collected each day from January 24 to April 2, 2020. Also, this research compared these variables with the emergency response or the number of new COVID-19 cases per day. All distributions dropped dramatically during first-level emergency response and then back to normal. The psychological distress of patients was relatively higher at the beginning of the outbreak and then gradually returned to normal. The trends between the psychological distress of patients and the number of new COVID-19 cases per day were similar. The number of new COVID-19 cases per day could be used to predict psychological distress, changes in patient numbers and distributions, which was beneficial for the department of spine surgery to adjust its treatment strategy during the epidemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Stress, Psychological/epidemiology , COVID-19/psychology , COVID-19/virology , China/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury to the developing brain remains a major cause of morbidity. To date, few therapeutic strategies could provide complete neuroprotection. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to be beneficial in several models of neonatal HI. This study examines the effect of treatment with erythropoietin on postnatal day 2 (P2) rats introduced with HI injury. METHOD: Rats at P2 were randomized into four groups: sham, bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO), BCAO + early EPO, and BCAO + late EPO groups. Pups in each group were injected with either saline or EPO (5000U/kg) intraperitoneally once at immediately (early) or 48h (late) after HI induction. Body weight was assessed at P2 before and day 7 after HI. Mortality Rate was assessed at 24h, 48h and 72h after HI and brain water content was assessed at 72h. Brain weight and expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) were assessed at day 7 and day 14. At day 31 to 35 following HI insult, neurological behavior function was assessed via Morris water maze (MWM) test. RESULT: HI cause significant higher mortality in male than in female (P=0.0445). Among the surviving animal, HI affect significantly the body growth, brain growth, MBP expression, and neurological behavior. EPO treatments at both early and late time points significantly benefit the rats in injury recovery, in which they promoted weight gains, reduced brain edema, as well as improved spatial learning ability and memory. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a single dose of EPO at 5000U/kg immediately or 48h after HI injury had significant benefit for the P2 rats in injury recovery, and there was no adverse effect associated with either EPO treatment.
Subject(s)
Erythropoietin/therapeutic use , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/prevention & control , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , Age Factors , Analysis of Variance , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Body Weight/drug effects , Brain Edema/etiology , Developmental Disabilities/drug therapy , Developmental Disabilities/etiology , Disease Models, Animal , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/complications , Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/mortality , Maze Learning/drug effects , Myelin Basic Protein/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Sprague-DawleyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether erythropoietin (EPO) could protect against white matter damage (WMD) in a preterm equivalent neonatal rat hypoxic-ischemia (HI) model. METHODS: 113 two-day-old male rat pups were divided randomly into three groups: sham-treated, bilateral carotid artery occlusion (BCAO)-treated, BCAO + EPO-treated group. EPO (50 U/10 g body weight) or saline alone was administered intraperitoneally immediately after BCAO surgery. Body weight, brain weight, brain water content, and expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) were assessed at day 1, 3, 7, and 14 after HI insult. Morris water-maze (MWM) test was used to assess neurological behavior from day 31 to 35 after HI insult. RESULTS: Body weights of BCAO + EPO group were greater than those of BCAO group rats (P < 0.05). Specifically, at day 3 and 7 after HI, brain weights of BCAO + EPO-treated rats were higher than BCAO-treated animals (P < 0.05); at day 7 and 14 after HI, MBP of BCAO + EPO-treated rats were higher than BCAO-treated animals (P < 0.05). Similarly, the brain water content at day 3 after HI in BCAO + EPO-treated rats was lower than BCAO-treated animals (P < 0.05). The body weight, brain weight, brain water content, and MBP expression in BCAO + EPO-treated group were comparable to those in the sham-treated group. Spatial learning and memory of BCAO + EPO-treated rats was significantly improved over the BCAO-treated group and was comparable to the sham-operated animals. CONCLUSION: EPO treatment could be a potential intervention in treating WMD for preterm infants.
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In the present paper, the recent progress in terahertz metamaterials-based sensing is reviewed with the principle of metamaterial biosensor,metamaterial substrate, and structure design, respectively. The paper introduces the principle in detail, analyzes the sensitivity of the biosensor with the material and the thickness of the substrate and the structure of metamaterial. The analysis shows that we can enhance the sensitivity and resolution of biosensor by designing specific metamaterial structure, using low dielectric constant and low loss thin substrate, especially many materials have a specific response in the terahertz frequency. So, there is a large potential application for label-free sensing by using the terahertz metamaterials. This paper also presents the future development of THz metamaterial sensors.