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Objective To establish the lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced autism spectrum disorder(ASD) models at second trimester in rat offspring,and to investigate the effect of LPS exposure on social interaction behavior and neuro-immune system in rat offspring.Methods Twelve-week-old pregnant specific pathogen free rats were randomly divided into non-exposed group(10 cases) and LPS-exposed group(10 cases).Rats in the exposure group were intraperitoneally injected with LPS 25 mg/kg at 12.5 d,while rats in the non-exposed group were intraperitoneally injected with 9 g/L saline.At the age of 28 days,10 rats were randomly selected from each group as the experimental group and the control group.The following tests were carried out in two groups of rats.Their offspring were randomly allocated to the control group (10 cases) and the experimental group (10 cases).The autism-like social behaviors were evaluated by the social interaction test.Density of dendritic spine was analyzed by Golgi staining.The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA1) were analyzed by immunohistochemisty.The levels of i nterleukin (IL)-1 β,IL-4,IL-6,IL-10,interferon-gamma (IFN-γ'),and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β) in rat offspring were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results The score of social interaction test in the experimental group [(-197.81 ± 101.83) scores] was lower than that in the control group [(132.73 ± 114.63) scores],and the difference was statistically significant (t =5.453,P ＜ 0.05).Density of dendritic spine in CA1 region of hippocampus was lower in the experimental group[(7.71 ± 1.33) numbers/10 μm] than that in the control group[(9.66 ± 1.76) numbers/10 μm] by Golgi staining,and the difference was statistically significant(t =2.775,P ＜ 0.05).Expressions of GFAP and IBA1 in experimental group were higher than those in the control group by immunohistochemisty.Levels of IL-1 β,IL-6,IL-10 and IFN-γ in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group,while level of TGF-β was lower than that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P ＜0.05).The scores of social interaction test were correlated with the levels of IFN-γ(r =0.756,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion LPS exposure at early pregnancy may affect the neuro-immune system of rat offspring and result in autism-like behavior.
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The anatomical structure of acupuncture points is the carrier for needling stimulation induced neurobiological effects. Although researchers have never stopped investigating its structure and experienced different stages from macroscopic to microcosmic morphological material basis, our understanding still largely lags behind the requirements of the times. In the present paper, we review development of researches on acupuncture points in recent decades from 1) macroscopic anatomical structure including skin, bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, etc.; 2) macro-microcosmic structure as the thickness of skin and muscles, distribution of blood vessels and nerve fibers, and innervation; 3) microstructure including cell categories (mast cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, etc.), peptidergic nerve fibers, various receptors, chemical substances, and their relationship with the brain and immune-endocrine system (cutaneous-neuro-immune-endocrine-mental biological communication), etc. These research outcomes will not only help us demonstrate the acupoint's structure better at the level of the body surface and regional anatomy, but also, at the microstructural level, reveal different kinds of cells and their chemical compositions in its structure as well as their relationship with the regulatory system of the whole body. From the perspective of the cutaneous and systemic neuro-immuno-endocrine networks, it undoubtedly prompts us to profoundly explore the underlying biological mechanisms of acupuncture. To observe the regional mutual connection and interaction of different kinds of cells and their chemical mediators and molecules in the acupuncture point will improve our understanding about the nature of acupuncture points from the static to the dynamic point of view. This might be a new approach for us to further reveal the functional roles of acupuncture points.
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Microglia plays multiple roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia .Activated microglia can induce a cascade of immune responses leading to neuroimmunological abnormalities , including the release of proinflammatory cytokines , the metabolic ab-normalities of the kynurenic acid pathway , and the oxidative stress response .On the other hand , it can lead to the neurodevelopmental abnormalities through the abnormal pruning of synapses and reducing the lack of neurotrophic support , eventually having psychotic symptoms.This article reviews the recent advances in the pathogenesis of microglia being involved in schizophrenia .
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Microglia plays multiple roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia .Activated microglia can induce a cascade of immune responses leading to neuroimmunological abnormalities , including the release of proinflammatory cytokines , the metabolic ab-normalities of the kynurenic acid pathway , and the oxidative stress response .On the other hand , it can lead to the neurodevelopmental abnormalities through the abnormal pruning of synapses and reducing the lack of neurotrophic support , eventually having psychotic symptoms.This article reviews the recent advances in the pathogenesis of microglia being involved in schizophrenia .
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The vagus nerve innervates most visceral organs.Upon activation,vagal efferents release acetylcholine,which influences organ function.In addition,vagal afferents convey information regarding the mechanical and chemical environment of the organ to the central nervous system (CNS).This bidirectional communication provides a mechanism for reflex regulation of the biological function of the organ.In the lung,the vagus nerve modulates airway tone,perfusion and secretion,in addition to its effects on breathing pattern.Recently,the vagus nerve has been recognized to play a role in the pathogenesis of lung disease via neuro-immune interactions.The vagus nerve has significant influences in pulmonary diseases,such as asthma,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer.In disease,the nerve is activated by cytokines,chemokines,and other mediators from many cell types to convey immunologic information to the CNS,which may alter disease outcome.Activation of the vagus nerve also releases neuropeptides to modulate immune cell behavior and can evoke the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway that regulates lung inflammation.Understanding the role of the vagus nerve in neuro-immune interaction may contribute significantly to the clinical management of pulmonary diseases.
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@#Objective To investigate the effect of erythropoietin(EPO)as a brain-protective factor and inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy(CP).Methods Serum samples from 31 CP patients,37 neonates with CP risk factors such as hypoxic-ischemic injury and/or perinatal infection,and 20 controls of neonates or children were obtained respectively.EPO,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-6 levels were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay double sandwich method(ABC-ELISA).Results The serum EPO level of neonatal patients was higher than that of controls or CP group(P<0.01),but there was no significant difference between CP group and controls.The serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels of CP and neonatal patients were higher than that in controls(P<0.01).The serum TNF-α level of CP group was higher than that of neonatal patients(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between CP group and neonatal patients in serum IL-6 level.Conclusion The inflammatory responses mediated by proinflammatory cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy.
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Objective To find out the material base of the induction and aggravation of psoriasis by psycological factors such as stress and depression etc. Methods Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to determine the effect of sera from 49 psoriatic patients and 34 healthy controls on the suppression of the lymphocyte transformation of normal mouse lymphocytes. Results The lymphocyte transformation rate of mouse lymphocytes treated with the sera of psoriatic patients was 41.55%, and that of controls was 68.09%. The suppressive effect of sera in patients during the progressive stage and with more extensive lesions were stronger than that in the stable stage and with less lesions (P