Effect of chaihu-shugan-san on the behaviors and Notch1 signal pathway in depression model rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of chaihu-shugan-san ( CSS) on the behaviors and Notch1 signal pathway in depression model rats. Methods Thirty-two SD rats with similar behavioral scores were divided into control group (CON),model group (CUMS),positive control group (FLU) and interven-tion group (CSS).The depression model was established by stimulating with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS),and the behaviors evaluation was assessed by sugar water consumption and forced depression.Im-munofluorescence was used to detect the proliferation of hippocampus neurons in rats,at the same time,real- time PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of each factor (Notch1,Hes1,Hes5 and Jagged1) of Notch1 signal pathway respectively. Results Compared with CON group,the percentage of sugar water preference and swimming length of rats decreased significantly in CUMS group (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01).Compared with CUMS group,the percentage of sugar water preference and swimming length of rats increased significantly in CSS group(P＜0.05).Compared with CON group,there was a significant increase in the inactivity length of rats between CUMS group,FLU group and CSS group,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Compared with CUMS group,the swimming length of rats in CSS group was significantly reduced,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Compared with CON group((750.00±27.51)/mm2),the number of BrdU positive cells in the substratum or granulocyte lay-er of the hippocampus dentate gyrus of rats in CUMS group ((338.75±29.61)/mm2),FLU group ((545.00 ±17.73)/mm2) and CSS group ((529.38±13.74)/mm2) was significantly reduced(P＜0.01).Compared with CUMS group ((338.75±29.61)/mm2),there was a significant increase in the number of BrdU positive cells in the substratum or granulocyte layer of the hippocampus dentate gyrus of rats in CSS group ((529.38 ±13.74)/mm2),and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.01).Compared with CON group,the mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1,Hes1,Hes5,and Jagged1 in the hippocampus of rats in CUMS group were significantly reduced(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with CUMS group,the mRNA and protein ex-pression levels of Notch1,Hes1,Hes5 and Jagged1 in the hippocampus of rats in FLU group and CSS group were significantly increased,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). Conclu-sion Notch1 signal pathway may be related to the obstacle during the hippocampus nerve regenerating in the model rat under chronic unpredictable mild stress.CSS may play an anti-depressant role by regulating Notchl to improve hippocampus nerve regeneration.

Zaocys type II collagen regulates mesenteric lymph node Treg/Th17 cell balance in mice with collagen-induced arthritis / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of oral administration of Zaocys type II collagen (ZCII) on the percentages of Treg/Th17 cells in mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes (MLNLs) in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CIA was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by immunization with chicken type II collagen. Three weeks later, ZCII, purified by pepsin digestion, was orally administered in the mice for 7 consecutive days (daily dose of 10, 20, or 40 µg/kg). The severity of arthritis in each limb was evaluated using a macroscopic scoring system, and histopathological changes of the joint were observed microscopically with HE staining. The percentages of Treg and Th17 cells in MLNLs was detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the supernatant of MLNLs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with normal control mice, the mice with CIA had significantly higher scores for arthritis and histopathological changes, with also significantly increased percentages of Treg and Th17 cells in MLNLs and elevated levels of TGF-β and IL-17 in MLNL supernatant (P<0.05). In ZCII peptide-treated mice, the scores for arthritis and histopathological changes were significantly lower than those in CIA model group (P<0.05), and Treg cell percentage in MLNLs was up-regulated while Th17 cell percentage lowered; the level of TGF-β was increased but IL-17 was decreased significantly (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oral administration of ZCII improves CIA in mice by regulating the percentages of Treg/Th17 cells and the cytokine levels in MLNLs, suggesting the value of ZCII as a promising candidate agent for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.</p>

The expression and clinical significance of NKp44+NK cells in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of NKp44+NK cells in the peripheral blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in the PB of 20 active and 15 remission patients with RA and 20 healthy individuals were detected using flow cytometry.The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in the SF of 10 active patients were detected.Multiple nonparametric test was used to compared the difference of NKp44+NK cells proportions.Clinical data including DAS28,anti-CCP antibody and RF were collected.The relationship between NKp44+NK cells and clinical data was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results The proportions of NKp44+NK cells in PB of active and remission patients and healthy individuals were (1.480±4.750)%,(0.540±0.590)%,(0.000±0.000)%respectively.The proportion of NKp44+NK cells in PB of active patients was significantly higher than that of remission patients and healthy individuals (x2=46.708,P=0.000).The proportion of NKp44+NK cells in the SF of ten active RA patients was significantly higher than matched PB.There was positive correlation between NKp44+NK cells proportion in PB and SF of active patients and DAS 28 and anti-CCP antibody level.There was no correlation between NKp44+NK cells proportion in PB,SF and RF.Conclusion There is a marked increase in the proportion of NKp44+NK cells in PB and SF of RA patients.Moreover,NKp44+NK cells are positively correlated with DAS28 and anti-CCP antibody,suggesting that NKp44+NK cells may be correlated with disease activity and severity.