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ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Dihuangyin on 2， 4-dinitrochlorobenzene （DNCB） -induced model mice with atopic dermatitis （AD）. MethodA mouse model with AD was established by repeatedly stimulating the back skin of mice with DNCB. After successful modeling， the mice were randomly divided into model group， Runzao group （0.78 g·kg-1）， and high， medium， and low dose （40.30， 20.15， and 10.08 g·kg-1） groups of Dihuangyin， with 12 mice in each group， and the blank group consisted of 12 mice， 72 in total. The administration groups were given the corresponding liquid by dose， and the blank group and model group were given the same dose of pure water by intragastric administration， once a day. The skin lesions and scratching times of mice were observed after continuous administration for two weeks. The back skin lesions of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and toluidine blue to observe the pathology. The contents of serum immunoglobulin E （IgE）， interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interferon-γ （IFN-γ） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ， IL-4， IL-6， Janus kinase 1 （JAK1）， and transcriptional activator 3 （STAT3） in skin lesion tissue were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The expressions of JAK1， phosphorylation（p）-JAK1， STAT3， and p-STAT3 proteins in skin lesion tissue were detected by Western blot. ResultCompared with the blank group， the back skin of the model group showed large-scale scab， dryness， erosion， hypertrophy with scratching， epidermal hyperplasia with hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis， hyperacanthosis with edema， and a large number of mast cell infiltration in the dermis， some of which were degranulated. The contents of IgE， IL-4， IL-6， and IFN-γ in the serum of mice were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of p-JAK1， STAT3， and p-STAT3 and mRNA expressions of IL-4， IL-6， IFN-γ， JAK1， and STAT3 in skin lesion tissue were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， only a small amount of dryness and desquamation were observed in the back skin of mice in each administration group， and cell edema was reduced. The inflammatory infiltration was significantly reduced， and the number of mast cell infiltration was significantly decreased. The serum IgE， IL-4， IL-6， and IFN-γ of mice were decreased to varying degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of p-JAK1， STAT3， and p-STAT3 and mRNA expressions of IL-4， IL-6， IFN-γ， JAK1， and STAT3 in skin lesion tissue were significantly decreased， and the effect of high dose group of Dihuangyin was the best （P<0.01）. ConclusionDihuangyin can improve skin lesions and pruritus in mice with AD， and its mechanism may be related to the effective regulation of cytokines on the helper T cells （Th1）/Th2 axis by interfering with the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway and affecting skin barrier function.
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Objective:By using the network pharmacology method to predict the active constituents and action targets of Suzi-Jiangqi Decoction in the treatment of COPD, and to explore its potential molecular mechanism with multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway characteristics. Methods:The active constituents and targets of Suzi-Jiangqi Decoction were collected, screened and predicted according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and UniProt software. Search for the gene targets related to COPD in GeneCards, online human Mendelian genetic database (OMIM) and TTD database. The intersection targets of component targets and disease targets were obtained by Veen map online software. The network model with the sequence of active constituents-target-disease was constructed and analyzed by Cytoscape software, and the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by STRING database. The gene ontology function annotation (GO) and Tokyo genome encyclopedia (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of common targets with metascape online tool. Results:A total of 163 active constituents of Suzi-Jiangqi Decoction were screened, 283 targets were predicted, and 159 targets involved in the treatment of COPD. Quercetin, kaempferol, naringin and luteolin were the key active ingredients. IL6, TNF, MAPK3, JUN, CASP3, CXCL8, CXCL10, MMP9 and MAPK1 were important gene targets. GO analysis showed that the biological processes involved in the enrichment of key gene targets included the response to bacteria, the cytokine mediated signaling pathway, the cell's response to inorganic substances, the response to oxidative stress, the response to LPS, and so on. The enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway showed that the signaling pathway of Suzi-Jiangqi Decoction in the treatment of COPD included TNF signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, cell cycle, Influenza A, HTLV-I infection, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, Tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection and so on. Conclusion:Suzi-Jiangqi Decoction can treat COPD through multi-target and multi-pathway mechanisms of anti-inflammatory, anti infection and immune regulation, which lays a foundation for further study of its molecular mechanism.
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Objective To explore the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging in evaluating diffusion and perfusion variations in subacute brain infarction.Methods MRI data of 35 patients with subacute brain infarction were analyzed retrospectively,including routine DWI,IVIM imaging and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) sequence.The ADC maps were obtained by routine DWI sequence.Pure molecular-based diffusion coefficient (D) maps,pseudo diffusion coefficient of perfusion (D*) maps and perfusion fraction (f) maps were obtained by IVIM sequence.Cerebral blood flow (CBF) maps were obtained by 3D-ASL sequence.ADC,D,D*,f,CBF values and the relative values (rADC,rD,rD*,rf,rCBF) of brain infarction lesion and contralateral mirror area were calculated.All the parameters between brain infarction lesion and contralateral mirror area were compared.The correlations were analyzed between rADC value and rD,rD*,rf values respectively,as well as between rCBF value and rD,rD*,rf values respectively.Results Quantitative analysis showed significant decreases of ADC,D,D*,f and CBF values in the brain infarction lesion compared with those in the contralateral mirror area (all P＜0.05).There were positive correlations between rADC value and rD,rf values (r=0.687,0.601,P=0.005,0.018).And the positive correlation was found between rCBF value and rf value (r=0.581,P=0.022).Conclusion IVIM imaging can concurrently provide the perfusion and diffusion informations of subacute brain infarction patients,which is helpful to further elucidate the mechanisms of subacute brain infarction.
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Objective To study the value of three-dimensional pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling(3D pCASL) for estimating collateral flow after middle cerebral artery(MCA) stenosis.Methods 3D pCASL was performed in 28 cases of negative diffusion weighted imaging(DWI) patients with MCA stenosis for estimating collateral vessels formation.The post-labeling delay(PLD) of 3D pCASL was set to 1.5 s and 2.5 s.The cerebral blood flow (CBF) of 3D pCASL with two PLD was calculated by AW workstation respectively.Nineteen normal persons were regarded as the control group.The 95% confidence interval of the ratio of left/right side of CBF of control group was set as reference value.The characteristic of the ratio of stenosed/contralateral side of CBF was analyzed.The characteristics of collateral flow was investigated with digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Results Abnormal perfusion was found in 28 patiens.Two types of abnormal perfusion were found, including typeⅠ: rCBF(PLD=1.5 s) decreased,rCBF(PLD=2.5 s) was normal (n=16);typeⅡ:rCBF(PLD=1.5 s) decreased,rCBF(PLD=2.5s) decreased (n=12).On brain DSA, abundant of collateral flow supply was found in 16 patients with typeⅠabnormal perfusion,whereas deficiency of collateral flow supply was found in 12 patients with typeⅡ.Conclusion 3D pCASL with two PLDs may provide important reference value for estimating collateral flow after middle cerebral artery stenosis.
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Objective To investigate the efficacy of aripiprazole addition therapy on adiponectin and leptin in schizophrenia patients with olanzapine-induced weight gain. Methods Schizophrenia patients with clinically significant weight gain induced by olanzapine were randomly divided into two groups:treated with olanzapine+aripiprazole (5 mg/d, n=48) or olanzapine+placebo (n=46). The level of FBS, TG, TC, adiponectin, leptin, the body index (BMI) and the insu?lin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured before and 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment. Results Adiponectin in?creased and leptin as well as HOMA-IR decreased in olanzapine+aripiprazole group after 4, 8 and 12 weeks treatment (P<0.05). However, FBS, TG and TC decreased and BMI increased only after 8 and 12 weeks treatment(P<0.05). In olanzapine+placebo group, the dadiponectin decreased and leptin, HOMA-IR as well as BMI increased after 8 and 12 weeks treatment(P<0.05). In olanzapine + aripiprazole group the adiponectin, leptin and HOMA-IR of 4, 8 and 12 weeks and BMI of 8 and 12 weeks were different from olanzapine + placebo group(P<0.05). Conclusions In schizo?phrenia patients with olanzapine-induced weight gain, aripiprazole addition therapy can ameliorate the HOMA-IR and BMI probably through the regulation of adiponectin and leptin.
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Objective To assess the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)map with low b-value to monitor the ablated tissue after high-intensity focused ultrasonic (HIFU)treatment for uterine fibroids.Methods 25 patients with 34 uterine fibroids were treated with HIFU.All patients underwent the routine MRI scans (including pre-and post-contrast scanning)and monoexponential model DWI with b values of 150,600 and 1 000 s/mm2 before the surgery and within 24 hours after the surgery.The mean ADC values with different b-values of the ablated and non-ablated tissues between pre-and post-treatment were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test.The consistency of the ablation area between ADC maps with different b-values and contrast enhancement MRI were evaluated. Results With the b-value of 150 s/mm2 ,the mean ADC value of the ablated tissue was (1.48±0.27)×10-3 mm2/s,which was less significantly than that of pre-treatment (2.06±0.21)×10-3 mm2/s and non-ablated tissue (1.98±0.23)×10-3 mm2/s (P0.05).A fine consistency of the ADC map with the low b-value (150 s/mm2 )was found with non-perfusion volume on contrast-enhanced T1 WI,which was superior to that with high b-values (600 s/mm2 and 1 000 s/mm2 )(P<0.05).Conclusion ADC map with low b-value (150 s/mm2 )can be used to evaluate the blood-supply changes and ablated volume of uterine fibroids indirectly,which helps to assess the treatment effect of HIFU.
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Objective To explore the short term effects of five second-generation antipsychotics on the serum pro?lactin levels of first-episode schizophrenia patients. Methods Two hundred fifty first-episode schizophrenia patients were randomly divided into five groups and were then treated with risperidone, olanzapine, paliperidone, quetiapine or ziprasidone, respectively. The serum prolactin were tested at baseline, and every week following initiation of treatment. The positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) and the treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) were used to evalu?ate the effect and side effect of treatment. Results Repeated measure ANOVA for serum prolactin showed that the main effects of time, the main effect of group, and the interactive effect of time and group were significant (all P0.05). Conclusion The level of serum prolactin gradually increases in schizophrenia patients receiving treatment of antipsychotics. The short term effects of different second generation antipsy?chotics on serum prolactin vary differently. Risperidol and olanzapine result in the elevation of serum prolactin level in the early period of treatment.
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Objective To clone and analyze the coding region of methyltransferase gene from four species of Huperziaceae, the species included Huperzia serrata var.longipetiolata, Phlegariurus minchegensis, Phlegariurus austrosinicus and Phlegariurus petiolatus.Methods The methyltransferase coding region sequences were cloned by RT-PCR with the template of total RNA extracted from four Huperziaceae.Then the sequences were analyzed by means of BLAST and MEGA 5.0 software.ResuIts The coding region sequences of the four species of Huperziaceae were highly similar to the methyltransferase in the database.ConcIusion The methyltransferase genes of the four species of Huperziaceae were cloned in this study.The result will provide a foundation for further elucidate the mechanism of Huperzine A biosynthesis and metabolic pathways in Huperziaceae plants.