Effect of electroacupuncture on proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells in young mice with Alzheimer's disease / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells in the hippocampus of young mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of AD.@*METHODS@#Forty 1.5-month-old APP/PS1 transgenic male mice were randomly divided into an EA group and a model group, 20 mice in each group, and other 20 C57BL/6J male mice of the same age were used as the normal control group. EA (intermittment wave 10 Hz, 2 mA) was applied to "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Shenshu" (BL 23) for 20 min, once a day, 6 days a week for 16 weeks. H.E. staining was used to assess histopathological changes of neurons of the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Immunohistochemical stain was used to detect the expression of 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive in the hippocampus, and immunofluorescence double-labeled technique was used to detect the number of proliferated positive neurons of hippocampal neural stem cells. The expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and Nestin mRNA and protein were detected by using real-time PCR and Western blot, separately.@*RESULTS@#The immunoactivity of BrdU, and the expression levels of BDNF and Nestin mRNA and protein in the hippocampus in the model group were significantly lower than in the normal control group (P<0.01, P<0.05), and considerably higher in the EA group than in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The number of BrdU/NeuN dual labeled neurons was slightly increased in the model group than in the normal control group (P>0.05), and evidently increased in the EA group relevant to the model group (P<0.05), suggesting a proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells. After modeling, the neurons of hippocampal dentate gyrus were arranged loosely and irregularly and their structure was fuzzy, with an appearance of different degrees of nuclear pyknosis, whereas in the EA group, the neuronal contour was clear and the nuclear structure was relatively distinct.@*CONCLUSION@#EA can activate the proliferation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus in AD mice, which may contribute to its function in improving the neuronal structure by upregulating the expression of BDNF.

Protective function of electroacupuncture on young mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and proteomic study / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To screen protein target in prevention and treatment with electroacupuncture (EA) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and explore the potential mechanism of EA in prevention of AD.@*METHODS@#A total of 40 APP/PS1 transgenic young male mice, 1.5-month old, were randomized into an EA group and a model group, 20 mice in each one, and 20 C57BL/6J mice were chosen as the normal control group. After adaptive housing for 1 week, the mice in the EA group were stimulated with EA at "Baihui" (GV 20), "Fengfu" (GV 16) and "Shenshu" (BL 23), with intermittent wave, 10 Hz in frequency and 2 mA in electric intensity. EA was given once daily, 20 min each time. There was 1 day at interval after EA for 6 days each week. Totally, the intervention lasted for 16 weeks. On day 3 after the end of EA intervention, Morris water maze test was adopted to detect learning and memory abilities of mice in each group. After water maze test, the label-free method was used to measure the difference expressions in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Using Western blot method, the expressions of guanylate binding protein beta 5 (GNB 5) and histone-H 3 in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were verified. Using immunohistochemical method, the expressions of amyloid beta protein (Aβ) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were detected.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal control group, the escape latency (on day 2, 3 and 4) was prolonged, the frequency of crossing platform and the duration of platform stay were decreased in the mice of the model group (@*CONCLUSION@#The intervention with EA effectively prevents from the decline of learning and memory ability and the formation of Aβ senile plaques in cerebral cortex and hippocampus in young mouse models of AD after growing up. Besides, EA plays a regulatory function for protein expression differences induced by AD model.

Effects and mechanisms of electro-acupuncture on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in C57 mice exposed to different doses of X-ray radiation / 生理学报

The present study was aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of electro-acupuncture (EA) on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the hippocampus of C57 mice exposed to different doses of X-ray radiation. Thirty-day-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control, irradiation, and EA groups. The control group was not treated with irradiation. The irradiation groups were exposed to different doses of X-ray (4, 8 or 16 Gy) for 10 min. The EA groups were electro-acupunctured at Baihui, Fengfu and bilateral Shenyu for 3 courses of treatment after X-ray radiation. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate proliferation and differentiation of the hippocampal neural stem cell. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1 and Mash1 in the hippocampus, respectively. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the numbers of BrdU positive cells (4, 8 Gy subgroup) and BrdU/NeuN double-labeling positive cells (3 dose subgroups) were decreased significantly in the irradiation group, but the above changes could be reversed by EA. Compared with the control group, the number of BrdU/GFAP double-labeling positive cells in each dose subgroup of irradiation group was decreased significantly, while EA could reverse the change of 4 and 8 Gy dose subgroups. In addition, compared with the control group, the expression levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in hippocampus were up-regulated, and the expression levels of Mash1 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in each dose subgroup of irradiation group. Compared with irradiation group, the expression levels of Notch1 mRNA and protein in hippocampus of EA group were decreased significantly in each dose subgroup, and the expression levels of Mash1 mRNA and protein were increased significantly in 4 and 8 Gy subgroups. These results suggest that irradiation affects the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in hippocampus of mice, whereas EA may significantly increase the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells via the regulation of Notch signaling pathway.

Effects of different concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide on long-term depression of hippocampus in mice / 生理学报

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on the long-term depression (LTD) of hippocampus in mice. Sixty C57BL/6J mice (30 days old) were randomly divided into control group, three CGRP (50, 100, and 200 nmol/L) groups, CGRP + CGRP group and CGRP + APV group (10 mice for each group). The effects of exogenous application of different concentrations of CGRP on synaptic plasticity and LTD in hippocampus of mice were detected by in vitro recording of local field potential. The results showed that higher doses (100 and 200 nmol/L) of CGRP significantly enhanced the induction of LTD in the hippocampus. Moreover, CGRP increased the magnitude of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. The above-mentioned effects of CGRP were blocked by either CGRP selective antagonist CGRP or NMDA receptor antagonist APV. These results suggest that CGRP can dose-dependently enhance the induction of LTD in hippocampus of mice, and the underlying mechanism involves the mediation of NMDA receptor function.

Analysis of chemical constituents of Jiashen Tablet extract by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS / 中草药

Objective To establish a method for the major content identification of Jiashen Tablet extract by using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Methods The chromatographic separation was executed on a Waters ACQUITY UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) with methanol-0.1% formic acid in water by gradient elution. Electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated in both positive and negative ion mode. Results A total of 72 compounds were found and 68 compounds among them were identified by the methods of comparing reference substance, matching Database and referencing related literature, including 13 phenolic acids, 6 tanshinones, 11 flavonoids and their glycosides, 4 cardiac glycosides, 15 triterpenoid saponins, 7 C21 steroids, and 13 other components. Conclusion This study introduces a comprehensive analysis method of chemical constituents in Jiashen Table extract. The results afford a significant guidance for the study of active constituents and quality control research for Jiashen Tablet.

Status of Secondary Prevention and Control of Risk Factors in Elderly Patients With Coronary Heart Disease in Guangzhou / 中国循环杂志

Objectives: To investigate the status of secondary prevention, treatment and risk factors of retired elderly patients (≥80 years old) with coronary heart disease in Guangzhou. Methods: A total of 752 questionnaires were collected from the elderly patients with coronary heart disease who underwent routine cardiovascular checkup in our hospital from March to May in 2016. The questionnaire included basic situation, complications, weight, blood pressure, low density lipoprotein, glucose level and secondary prevention medications based on evidence-based medicine. Results: Antiplatelet drugs, beta blockers, statins, ACEI/ARB use rate was 55.72%, 30.98%, 25.13%, 42.69% for the secondary prevention; 21.94% patients did not take secondary prevention drugs, the combined use rate of the four drugs was 4.92%. In elderly patients with coronary heart disease, the control rate of blood pressure (<150/90 mmHg), fasting blood glucose (<7mmol/L), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (<10 mmol/L), body mass index (<24 kg/m2) were 81.17% (470/579 cases), 77.61% (253/326 cases), 55.21% (180/326 cases) and 54.73% (266/486 cases), respectively. With LDL-C<1.8 mmol/L as the standard, percent with normal LDL-C value was 14.06% (63/448 cases). Conclusions: In this survey population, use rate of the four types of drugs for secondary prevention and the control rate of known risk factors for coronary artery disease are very low. Efforts are needed to improve rational use of the secondary prevention drugs, minimize the gaps between promote the guidelines and clinical practice, and reduce the recurrence rate of coronary heart disease in elderly patients with coronary artery disease.

Exploration of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Orthostatic Hypotension in Elderly Hypertension Patients / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in elderly hypertension patients. Methods: A total of 532 retired hypertension patients elder than 65 years in Guangzhou military region were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Hypertension group, n=414 and Hypertension combining OH (H+OH) group, n=118. The patient's age (65-79、≥ 80), hypertension grade (Grade 1-3) and complication status were studied. The risk factors for H+OH prevalence were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence rate of H+OH was 22.2％ (118/532). In H+OH group, the ratios of elderly and very elderly patients were 6.7％ and 23.1％, P<0.05 and the ratios of OH occurrence for hypertension grade 1, 2 and 3 were 12.6％, 23.3％ and 25.2％ respectively, P<0.05. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis presented that systolic blood pressure (BP) in supine position, BP at immediate standing, heart rate in supine position, heart rate after 2 minutes standing and chronic cardiac insufficiency were the impact factors for H+OH occurrence, P<0.05. Conclusion: In elderly hypertension patients, incidence of OH was increasing with age elevating; H+OH has been related to age, severity of hypertension and chronic cardiac insufficiency.

Exploration of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Orthostatic Hypotension in Elderly Hypertension Patients / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of orthostatic hypotension (OH) in elderly hypertension patients. Methods: A total of 532 retired hypertension patients elder than 65 years in Guangzhou military region were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Hypertension group, n=414 and Hypertension combining OH (H+OH) group, n=118. The patient's age (65-79、≥ 80), hypertension grade (Grade 1-3) and complication status were studied. The risk factors for H+OH prevalence were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence rate of H+OH was 22.2％ (118/532). In H+OH group, the ratios of elderly and very elderly patients were 6.7％ and 23.1％, P<0.05 and the ratios of OH occurrence for hypertension grade 1, 2 and 3 were 12.6％, 23.3％ and 25.2％ respectively, P<0.05. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis presented that systolic blood pressure (BP) in supine position, BP at immediate standing, heart rate in supine position, heart rate after 2 minutes standing and chronic cardiac insufficiency were the impact factors for H+OH occurrence, P<0.05. Conclusion: In elderly hypertension patients, incidence of OH was increasing with age elevating; H+OH has been related to age, severity of hypertension and chronic cardiac insufficiency.