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ABSTRACT Peripheral and central cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels play an important role in the pathophysiology of major depression (MD). We investigated the association between serum levels of IL-6 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in drug-naïve, first-episode patients with MD. This study included 28 patients (male/female: 11/17; mean [standard deviation] age, 46.7 [11.9] years) who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria for MD without any physical diseases. We evaluated the severity of depression using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. No associations were found between serum levels of IL-6 and BDNF (r=-0.102, P =0.605). These results suggest that IL-6 does not influence BDNF and vice versa, but both act in a peripheral manner.
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<b>Objective::To discuss the effect of Zhongfeng Xingnao liquid on neurological recovery of patients of ischemic stroke with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome at early recovery, and the mechanisms of anti-inflammation, neuroprotection and improvement of microcirculation. <b>Method::One hundred and twenty-eight patients were randomly divided into control group (64 cases) and observation group (64 cases) by random number table. Both groups’ patients got atorvastatin, 10 mg/days, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, 100 mg/days, and control of blood pressure and blood sugar, and modern rehabilitation training. Patients in control group orally got Zhongfeng Xingnao liquid, 25 mL/time, 3 times/days. The course of treatment was 90 days. And before and after treatment, national institutes of health neurological deficiency (NIHSS), Barthel index, improvement Rankin scale, brunel balance scale (BBA), Fugl-Meyer scale (FMA), Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (SS-QOL) were scored. And levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), homocysteine (Hcy), serum cystatin C (Cys-C), platelet aggregation rate (ADP) and fibrinogen (FIB) were detected. <b>Result::The clinical efficacy in observation group was better than that in control group (<italic>Z</italic>=1.981, <italic>P</italic><0.05). At different time points after treatment, scores of NIHSS and Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were lower than those in control group (<italic>P</italic><0.05), whereas scores of Barthel index, FMA, BBA and SS-QOL were higher than those in control group (<italic>P</italic><0.01). Degrees of disability and dyskinesia in observation group was lighter than those in control group (<italic>Z</italic>=1.932, <italic>P</italic><0.05). Degree of dyskinesia was lighter than that in control group (<italic>Z</italic>=2.149, <italic>P</italic><0.05). And level of BDNF was higher than that in control group (<italic>P</italic><0.01), while levels of TNF-<italic>α</italic>, Hcy, Cys-C, ADP and FIB were lower than those in control group (<italic>P</italic><0.01). <b>Conclusion::In addition to the routine comprehensive rehabilitation measures of western medicine, Zhongfeng Xingnao liquid can promote recovery of nerve function defect of patients of cerebral infarction with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome at convalescence, is beneficial for rehabilitation of patients and improving the quality of life, with certain effects in resisting inflammation, improving microcirculation and protecting nerves, and better efficacy than simple western medicine treatment.
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Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized by the progressive loss of the structure and function of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium.Neurotrophic factors are more and more concerned.Brain-derived neurotrophic factors,ciliary neurotrophic factors and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors can affect photoreceptor activity through direct and indirect protection pathways.Neuronal-glial cell symbiosis system mediated by the indirect protection of photoreceptors is more important.Studies on glial cell-mediated neurotrophic factors for the treatment of related eye disease have made some progress,which will provide a new and effective methodsto delay the development of RP.
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Objective:To explore the expressions of miRNAs related to accelerating senescence in serum of the patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and to clarify their effects in the pathogenesis of aMIC.Methods:The levels of miRNAs related to accelerating senescence (miR-132, miR-193b, miR-130b, miR-20a, miR-296, miR-329 and miR-206) were measured in the serum of the patients with aMCI (aMCI group,n=66) and healthy controls(control group,n=76) using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).The genes targeted by the altered miRNAs were predicted by TargetScan 6.0.DAVID was used to analyze the function of miRNA target genes.The serum levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and silent in formation regulator 1(SIRT1) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.Results:The expression levels of miR-206 and miR-132 in serum of the patients in aMCI group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05).BDNF and SIRT1 were both target genes of miR-206 and miR-132.The levels of BDNF (29.50 μg·L-1± 3.13 μg·L-1) and SIRT1 (1.86 μg·L-1± 0.25 μg·L-1) in serum of the patients in aMCI group were both obviously lower than those in control group (BDNF: 32.29 μg·L-1±3.66 μg·L-1;SIRT1: 2.10 μg·L-1± 0.29 μg·L-1, P<0.05).Conclusion:The expression levels of miR-206 and miR-132 in serum of the aMCI patients are significantly up-regulated.Both of them might be involved in the pathogenesis of aMCI through inhibiting the BDNF and SIRT1 expressions.
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Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and on learning,memory and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and acetylcholine (Ach) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus.Methods Sixty healthy,male Wistar rats were studied.Allograft thrombosis particles 48 to 74 μm in diameter were injected into the rats' external carotid arteries to create a CSVD model.The rats were then divided randomly into a hyperbaric oxygen group,a nimotop group and a control group.The hyperbaric oxygen group rats were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy 12 hours after the modeling.The nimotop group rats were given nimodipine by intragastric perfusion 12h after the modeling.The rats in the control group had no special intervention.At 7,14 and 28 days after the modeling,any changes in learning and memory were assessed with a Morris water maze test.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of BDNF in the cerebral cortex and of Ach in the hippocampus at 28 days.Results At both 14 and 28 days the average escape latency of the rats in the hyperbaric oxygen group was significantly shorter than those of the nimotop and control groups.The average platform crossing time had increased significantly more than in the nimotop and control groups.At both 14 and 28 days the escape latency and platform crossing times of the nimotop group were significantly better than in the control group.Ach content and BDNF content were significantly higher in the HBO group than in the nimotop and control groups.Conclusions Hyperbaric oxygen treatment can promote BDNF release in CSVD,which is helpful to protect and repair neural mitochondria,to maintain the cortex and hippocampal neurotransmitters on a stable level,and to improve learning and memory.Its effect is better than that of nimotop.
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Objective: To investigate the dynamical variation of the hippocampal neurotrophic factors (NTF) in elderly rats with postoperative fatigue syndrome (POFS) and the antifatigue mechanism of ginsengside Rb1. Methods: Ninety-six elderly male SD rats were randomly divided into Sham, POFS model, and ginsengoside Rb1 intervention groups, and each group was divided into subgroups by postoperative 6 h, 1, 3, and 7 d. The hippocampus was removed at each time point after open field test (OFT) to detect the mRNA expression levels of nerve growth factors (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) by Real-time PCR; The content of protein was detected by radioimmunoassay; The ultrastructural changes in hippocampus CA1 area were observed by electron microscopy. Results: Compared with the Sham group, the number through lattice in OFT of rats in the POFS model group declined (P < 0.01), while resting time increased (P < 0.01); The expression level of NGF and BDNF mRNA in the POFS model group declined (P < 0.05, 0.01), the expression level of corresponding protein declined (P < 0.05). Compared with the POFS model group, the number through lattice in OFT of rats in the Rb1 group increased (P < 0.05), the expression level of NGF and BDNF mRNA of rats in Rb1 group increased (P < 0.05, 0.01), and the expression level of corresponding protein also increased (P < 0.01). Electron microscopy results showed that compared with the Sham group, the ultrastructures of the hippocampal neurons of rats were significantly damaged in the POFS model group, which were relatively impromed in the Rb1 group. Conclusion: The expression level of NTF inelderly rats with POFS declines, the hippocampal neurons are damaged to a certain extent and the application of ginsenoside Rb1 may have the improvement to POFS in elderly rats.
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Objective To study the effect of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the rehabilitation of rats with cerebral infarction. Methods One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operated control group, a model group and a TMS group with 25 rats in each group. A cerebral infarction model was established in the latter two groups by left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). TMS was started at either 12 or 24 hours after reperfusion, and sham-TMS was given to the first two groups at the same time points. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA were measured by RT-PCR after 14 days. Results Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA were detected in all groups. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in the TMS-12 h group, and that of BDNF mRNA in the TMS-24 h group were significantly higher than in the other groups. Conclusions The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA in the brains of rats after cerebral infarction peak when TMS is administered 12 h and 24 h after reperfusion, respectively. TMS might have protective and rehabilitative effects on rats after cere-bral infarct.
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Objective To study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) on the expression of the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 gene (Bcl-2) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after cerebral infarction. Methods One hundred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into a normal group, a sham-operated control group, a model group and an EA plus TMS group. A cerebral infarction model was established in the latter two groups using left middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Five-member subgroups of the EA plus TMS group were then treated at 6, 12, 24,48 and 72 hours after reperfusion. Sham EA plus TMS was given to similar sub-groups from the other groups at the same time points. The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA were measured using a RT-PCR at the 14th day. Results Positive expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA was detected around the infarction in all groups. The average expression of both was significantly higher in the EA plus TMS group than in the model group. Bcl-2 mRNA peaked when the therapy was administered at 24 hours and BDNF mRNA at 48 hours.Conclusions The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and BDNF mRNA is maximized when EA plus TMS is administered 24-48 hours after cerebral infarction. EA plus TMS does have protective and rehabilitative effects on rats after cerebral infarction.