Levetiracetam plus Oxcarbazepine Combination Treatment Downregulates Serum Multidrug Resistance Protein 1 Levels and Upregulates Neuropeptide Y Levels in Children with Epilepsy

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in predicting the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) plus oxcarbazepine (OXC) treatment administered to children with epilepsy and to determine their prognosis. Overall, 193 children with epilepsy admitted to the hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups according to different treatment methods: group A (n = 106, treated with LEV plus OXC combination) and group B (n = 87, treated with OXC only). After treatment, compared with group B, group A exhibited a remarkably higher total effective rate and a significantly lower total adverse reaction rate. Areas under the curve for MDR1 and NPY for predicting ineffective treatment were 0.867 and 0.834, whereas those for predicting epilepsy recurrence were 0.916 and 0.829, respectively. Electroencephalography abnormalities, intracranial hemorrhage, neonatal convulsion, premature delivery, and MDR1 and NPY levels were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in children with epilepsy. Serum MDR1 and NPY levels exhibited a high predictive value for early epilepsy diagnosis, treatment efficacy assessment, and prognostication in children with epilepsy treated with LEV plus OXC combination.

Influence of Neuropeptide Y and Neuropeptide Y 2 Receptor Variants in Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract Background The neuropeptide Y (NPY) is one of the most abundant neurotransmitters in the nervous system. NPY acts as a potent stimulator of angiogenesis, inflammation, and adipogenesis, through the NPY 2 receptor (NPY2R). Changes in the NPY signaling pathway have been linked to Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine the association between variants in the NPY and NPY2R genes, as well as the severity of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Approximately 221 ACS patients and 278 healthy controls were selected for this study. Four variants in NPY and two variants in NPY2R genes were genotyped using Taqman allelic discrimination and sequencing. The Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to verify the genotype frequencies. The logistic regression analyses were used for the evaluation of the studied variables. Haplotype analysis was used to evaluate the linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the variants (p<0.05). Results An association of NPY c.20T>C variant was found with the ACS group when compared to the healthy group. In the analysis between variants and risk factors in the ACS group, NPY c.84G>A was associated with hypertension. The analysis between TIMI risk showed a significance for NPY c.20T>C between the low and intermediate/high TIMI risk groups. In the haplotype analysis, strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) was found between the variants NPY c.150G>A and NPY c.-485T>C. Conclusion The NPY c.20T>C variant appears to contribute to the development of ACS. The NPY2R c.-1116A>G variant may contribute to the early development of ACS and the NPY c.84G>A variant appears to contribute to the development of hypertension. In addition, the NPY c.20T>C is associated with a protective effect in ACS severity.

Modulation of neuropeptide Y levels is impaired in crack withdrawal patients

Abstract Introduction The dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has a key role in drug addiction susceptibility. In addition to the well-known relationship between cortisol and the HPA axis, other molecules are involved with stress response and could modify the HPA activation, such as the neuropeptide Y (NPY), which has anxiolytic proprieties. There are few studies evaluating the effect of NPY levels on addiction, especially in crack cocaine dependence. Objective To evaluate NPY in crack users during early withdrawal to determine its relationship with drug use and cortisol levels. Methods We analyzed 25 male inpatient crack users. Serum NPY levels were measured at admission and discharge (mean of 24 days). Morning salivary cortisol was measured at admission. Results Serum NPY levels at admission and discharge were very similar. Lower NPY levels at discharge were associated with higher lifetime crack use. Also, a negative correlation was found between morning cortisol and delta NPY (NPY discharge - NPY admission). Conclusion These preliminary findings indicate that crack use influences the modulation of NPY levels and modifies stress response. The NPY pathway may play an important role in the pathophysiology of crack addiction, and the anxiolytic effect of NPY may be impaired in crack users. Future studies should consider NPY as a measurable indicator of the biological state in addiction.

Progress in research on the role of cannabinoid receptor signaling pathway in Huntington's disease / 中华神经科杂志

Huntington's disease (HD),a single-gene autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease,is pathologically characterized by the great loss of striatal neurons in the brain.Clinical manifestations of HD show involuntary dance-like movements,cognitive function and neuropsychiatric symptoms.The pathogenesis of HD is concerned with the protein expression of mutant huntingtin which leads to the selective degeneration of medium spiny neurons in the striatum and the onset of the disease.Cannabinoid receptor (CBR) plays a key role in the release of neurotransmitters,synaptic plasticity,gene expression and modulation of.neuronal activity through the CBR1 and CBR2 signaling pathways.Recent studies have found that CBR-mediated phosphoinositide3-kinases/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin complex1/brain derived neurotrophic factor,neuropeptide Y/neuronal nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway play a vital role in the regulation.of striatal neuroprotection in HD.This review reveals the research progress of CBR1 related signaling pathways in HD,which provides new theoretical basis and drug targets for the prevention and treatment of HD.

Relations of neuropeptide Y and heme oxygenase-1 expressions with fetal brain injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the relations of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expressions with fetal brain injury in rats with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Methods: Sixty rats pregnant for 15 days were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The ICP model was established in experimental group. On the 21st day, the blood biochemical test, histopathological examination of pregnant rat liver and fetal brain tissues and immunohistochemical analysis of fetal rat brain tissues were performed. Results: On the 21st day, the alanineaminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bile acid levels in experimental group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.01). Compared with control group, there was obvious vacuolar degeneration in pregnant rat liver tissue and fetal brain tissue in experimental group. NPY expression in fetal brain tissue was negative in control group and positive in experimental group. HO-1 expression in fetal brain tissue was strongly positive in control group and positive in experimental group. There was significant difference of immunohistochemical staining optical density between two groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: In fetal brain of ICP rats, the NPY expression is increased, and the HO-1 expression is decreased, which may be related to the fetal brain injury.

Moxa-stick moxibustion activates mast cells of small intestine tissue in rats / 针刺研究

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of moxa-stick moxibustion and joss-stick moxibustion at "Guanyuan" (CV4) on the activity of mast cells in the small intestine tissue in rats. METHODS: Twelve male SD rats were randomly divided into control, joss-stick moxibustion and moxa-stick moxibustion groups (n=4 rats in each group). Joss-stick or moxa-stick moxibustion was applied to CV4 for 10 min. After moxibustion, the skin temperature of the CV4 region was measured immediately with a thermometer. The mast cells and nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue were displayed by immunofluorescence histochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the skin temperature of the CV4 region in both the joss-stick and the moxa-stick groups were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the skin temperature of the moxa-stick group was significantly higher than that in the joss-stick group (P<0.05). There were a large number of tryptase-positive mast cells in the small intestine of rats, some of which were co-expressed with lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, displaying an activated state. The average numbers of mast cells in the control, joss-stick and moxa-stick groups were 9.2±3.6, 10.8±5.3 and 17.1±6.3, respectively, being significantly higher in the moxa-stick group than in the control and joss-stick groups (P<0.05). In addition, calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP) and neuropeptide Y(NPY) positive nerve fibers were found around the mast cells in the small intestinal tissues. CONCLUSION: Moxa-stick moxibustion gives rise a higher temperature at CV4 to activate mast cells surrounded by CGRP and NPY positive nerve fibers in the small intestine tissue in rats, suggesting an involvement of the sensory and sympathetic nervous system in the activation of intestinal mast cells possibly by way of somatic sympathetic reflex.

Laminar Distribution of Neurochemically-Identified Interneurons and Cellular Co-expression of Molecular Markers in Epileptic Human Cortex / 神经科学通报·英文版

Inhibitory GABAergic interneurons are fundamental elements of cortical circuits and play critical roles in shaping network activity. Dysfunction of interneurons can lead to various brain disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and anxiety. Based on the electrophysiological properties, cell morphology, and molecular identity, interneurons could be classified into various subgroups. In this study, we investigated the density and laminar distribution of different interneuron types and the co-expression of molecular markers in epileptic human cortex. We found that parvalbumin (PV) and somatostatin (SST) neurons were distributed in all cortical layers except layer I, while tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were abundant in the deep layers and white matter. Cholecystokinin (CCK) neurons showed a high density in layers IV and VI. Neurons with these markers constituted ~7.2% (PV), 2.6% (SST), 0.5% (TH), 0.5% (NPY), and 4.4% (CCK) of the gray-matter neuron population. Double- and triple-labeling revealed that NPY neurons were also SST-immunoreactive (97.7%), and TH neurons were more likely to express SST (34.2%) than PV (14.6%). A subpopulation of CCK neurons (28.0%) also expressed PV, but none contained SST. Together, these results revealed the density and distribution patterns of different interneuron populations and the overlap between molecular markers in epileptic human cortex.

Experimental study on improvement of blood supply timeliness of rabbits with vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis by massage / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Establishing a rabbit model of vertebral artery type of cervical spondylosis(CSA) and to observe the characteristics of timeliness in improving the blood flow of vertebral artery by massage, and discusse the material basis of this timeliness based on NPY and ET-1.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty New Zealand healthy and white rabbits, 6-month-old, the body mass of (2.0±0.5) kg, with half males and half females, were randomly divided into blank group, model group, three massage groups(including massage for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min group by random number table), 10 rabbits in each group. In addition to the blank group, CSA rabbit model was made by injection of sclerosing agent in other groups. The rabbits of massage for 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min groups received the massage therapy of corresponding duration, one times a day, continuous 10 days. The blood flow of vertebral artery in each group was detected by PeriFlux5000 laser doppler, and the contents of NPY and ET-1 in serum were detected by ELISA before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Changes in blood flow of vertebral artery before and after treatment:there was no significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group;there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group. Changes of NPY content before and after treatment: there was significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group(<0.05); there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group. Changes of ET-1 content before and after treatment:there was no significant difference between model group and massage for 10 min group;there was significant difference between model group and massage for 20, 30 min groups(<0.01); there was significant difference between massage for 10 min group and massage for 20 min, 30 groups (<0.01); there was no significant difference between massage for 20 min group and massage for 30 min group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Massage needed 20 min for rabbits with CSA can only significantly improve the blood flow of vertebral artery. However, prolonging the time of massage has no obvious effect. The material basis of this timeliness characteristic of massage is closely related to the change of NPY and ET-1 levels in serum.</p>

Effects on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type and the concentrations of plasma NPY and UII in the patients treated with the modified acupuncture at unilateral/bilateral Renying (ST 9) / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the differences in the clinical therapeutic effects on cervical spondylosis of vertebral artery type (CSA) between the modified acupuncture and the routine acupuncture at unilateral/bilateral Renying (ST 9) as well as the impacts on the concentrations of plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) and urotensinⅡ(UⅡ) in the patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 160 patients were divided into a modified bilateral acupuncture group, a modified unilateral acupuncture group, a routine bilateral acupuncture group and a routine unilateral acupuncture group, 40 cases in each one according to the random number table. In the modified bilateral acupuncture group, the modified acupuncture was applied bilaterally to Renying (ST 9). In the modified unilateral acupuncture group, the modified acupuncture was applied unilaterally to Renying (ST 9). In the routine bilateral acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture was applied bilaterally to Renying (ST 9). In the routine unilateral acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture was applied unilaterally to Renying (ST 9). The treatment was given once every day, continuously for 6 days as one course. Two courses of treatment were required at the interval of 1 day. In each group, before and after treatment, we observed the peak systolic blood flow velocity (Vs) of the vertebral artery (VA) and the basilar artery (BA), cervical vertigo symptoms and functional assessment scales (ESCV) and the concentration of plasma NPY and UⅡ. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared among the groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect in the modified bilateral acupuncture group was 90.0% (36/40), which was better than 80.0% (32/40) in the modified unilateral acupuncture group, 77.5% (35/40) in the routine bilateral acupuncture group and 65.0% (26/40) in the routine unilateral acupuncture group (all <0.05). After treatment, Vs of VA and BA was improved remarkably in every group (all <0.01), and the result in the modified bilateral acupuncture group was higher than those in the other groups (all <0.01). After treatment, ESCV scores were all increased remarkably in every group (all <0.01). ESCV score and improvement index in the modified bilateral acupuncture group were all higher than those in the other groups (<0.05, <0.01). After treatment, the concentrations of plasma NPY and UⅡ were all reduced remarkably in every group (all <0.01) and the differences were significant among the groups (all <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The modified bilateral acupuncture at Renying (ST 9) effectively regulates the blood supply of the vertebral basilar artery and improves the cerebral circulation. The effects are superior to those of the unilateral acupuncture at Renying (ST 9).</p>

Early acupuncture for traumatic intracerebral hematoma: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of early acupuncture intervention on brain edema in patients with traumatic intracerebral hematoma and explore its mechanism on the basis of conventional western medicine.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With stratified block randomization, sixty-four patients with glasgow coma scale (GCS) of 6 to 12 were divided into an acupuncture combined with medicine group (a combination group) and a western medication group, 32 cases in each one. In the western medication group, dehydration to reduce intracranial pressure and nutritional nerves were given as the basic treatment. In the combination group, on the basis of the treatment as the western medication group, acupuncture was applied at Xuehai (SP 10), Taixi (KI 3), Fenglong (ST 40), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), etc. The treatment was given once every day, for 6 times as one course; there was an interval of 1 day between two courses; a total of 4 courses were required. GCS score and recovery time were recored before treatment and on the 7 th, 14 th and 28 th days. 90 days follow-up after treatment, the GOS was observed, and the mortality and effective survival rate were calculated. The Barthel index (BI) score was evaluated before treatment and on the 14th, 21st, 28th days and 90 days follow-up after treatment. Before treatment and 3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th days, cranial CT or MR scan was performed to calculate the brain edema index (BEI); Plasma interleukin-6 (6IL-6), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured before treatment and on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The GCS scores increased gradually in the two groups during treatment, and there was significant difference between the 28th days and before treatment (both <0.05). There were no significant difference between the two groups about GCS score and average recovery time on the 28th days treatment (all >0.05). (2) The mortality rate of the combination group was 6.3% (2/32) on 90 days follow-up, 9.4% (3/32) in the western medication group (>0.05). The effective survival rate was 81.3% (26/32) in the combination group, which was higher than 59.4% (19/32) in the western medication group (<0.05). (3) The BI score was significantly higher than that before treatment on the 28th days and 90 days follow-up in the two groups (all <0.05), and the result in the combination group was superior to that in the western medication group (both <0.05). (4) The BEI decreased on the 14th, 21st and 28th days in the two groups (all <0.05), and on the 14th day, the BEI decreased more significantly in the combination group than that in the western medication group (<0.05). (5) The levels of IL-6, NPY and NO decreased on the 7th and 14th days in the two groups (all <0.05), and decreased more significantly in the combination group than that in the western medication group on the 7th day (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>On the basis of conventional western medicine, early acupuncture can reduce cerebral edema and improve the prognosis of patients, and acupuncture combined with medicine are superior to western medicine alone. Acupuncture mechanism may be related to reducing the expression of inflammatory response.</p>

Effects of Olanzapine on Body Mass Index, Plasma Leptin and Hypothalamic Neurohormone in the Patients with Schizophrenia / 中国药师

Objective:To investigate the effects of an atypical antipsychotic drug olanzapine on the body mass index(BMI), leptin and hypothalamic neurohormone related to appetite regulation in the first-attack psychotic patients after 4-week treatment. Methods:Totally 38 first-attack psychotic patients meeting DSM-Ⅳ diagnostic criteria were treated with olanzapine for 4 weeks. The BMI,blood lipids,blood glucose and neurohormone were measured before and after the treatment. The normal control group was also considered the above indices. Results:After the 4-week treatment, the body weight and the body mass index increased significantly when compared with those before the treatment (P < 0.01),and the plasma levels of TC,TG and LDL were higher than those before the treatment(P < 0.05). Both leptin and NPY levels significantly increased in the patients after the treatment (P <0.05),while the NPY levels were significantly lower before the treatment when compared with those in the control group(P< 0.05). The α-MSH levels before and after the treatment were significantly lower than those in the control group(P < 0.01). The CART levels had no significant difference among the pre-treatment group, post-treatment group and control group (P >0.05). Conclusion:The levels of leptin and neurohormone may be changed in the early treatment of olanzapine in the patients with schizophrenia,which may cause weight gain.

Plasma concentrations of neurotransmitters and postpartum depression / 中南大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To determine associations between postpartum depression (PPD) and plasma neurotransmitters.Methods:We conducted a case-control study nested to a prospective cohort established in 3 comprehensive tertiary hospitals in Changsha,Hunan,China from February to September 2007.The Chinese version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used at 2 weeks postpartum to screen PPD,with a score of 13 or higher as the cut-off for PPD.The women with matched age but without PPD and delivery within 5 years were selected as controls.The levels of plasma monoamine neurotransmitters including serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine,5-HT),dopamine (DA),and norepinephrine (NE),and peptide neurotransmitters including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and substance P (SP) in maternal blood samples taken at 2 weeks postpartum were measured and compared between PPD women (n=42) and controls (n=42).Results:Plasma levels of 5-HT and NPY were significantly lower while plasma levels of NE and SP were significantly higher in PPD women than those in the controls.For women with PPD,a negative correlation between NPY and NE (r=-0.36,P＜0.05) was observed.Conclusion:There are changes in plasma levels of neurotransmitters in women with PPD,and there are potential interactions between different neurotransmitters.

Changes of serum neuropeptide Y and therapeutic intervention in patients with schizophrenia after drug therapy / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between the serum neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels and the pathogenesis,therapeutic intervention of schizophrenia. Methods One hundard twenty-five patients with schizophrenia (case group) with no medication for at least 4-week and 136 healthy controls (control group) were evaluated by Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scala (PANSS). Simultaneously blood tests were performed to detect serum NPY levels. In the case group, PANSS was evaluated and blood collected again after 4 weeks of treatment with olanzapine. Result At the baseline,the serum NPY concentration was significantly lower in the case group than in control group (t=-5.79, P<0.01). The scores of RBANS and its factors were significantly lower in the case group than in control group (all P<0.01). The concentration was positively correlated with the score of the attention factor for RBANS scale (r=0.20, P=0.04). After treatment with olanzapine for 4 weeks,the serum NPY level in the case group was significantly increased (t=-2.23,P=0.03).The scores of PANSS total scale and subscale were significantly decreased(all P<0.01).There was no significant correlation between alterations of the serum level of NPY and PANSS total or subscale scores from baseline to 4-week (all P>0.05). Conclusion The present study has revealed a significant decrease in serum NPY levels in patients with schizophrenia which can be attenuated by treatment of Olanzapine.The action of Olanzapine may be related to the mechanism of action of Olanzapine.However,there is no correlation between alterations of the serum level of NPY and the improvement in the patientˊs clinical symptoms.

On the regulation of bone metabolism: A research review of neuropeptide Y / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Skeleton metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis and fracture have posed an detrimental impact on the elderly, which is a primary cause of paralysis and even death in patients. Osteoblast and osteoclast are the two major parts in the regulation of bone homeostasis and imbalance of these two cells, which may result in dysfunction of bone metabolism. Recent researches indicated that bone homeostasis was primarily regulated by endocrine, paracrine, and local mechanical processes. However, increasing evidences have indicated that the significant role of nerve system may involve in bone metabolism via both central and peripheral pathways. Neuropeptide Y(NPY), a neurotransmitter that belongs to a family of peptides,serves as a critical hinge connecting nerve system and skeleton system. Several studies have suggested that NPY generated by both central and peripheral nerve system could regulate bone homeostasis and that NPY-energic nerve fibers distributed on bone surface and in intramedullary cavity and NPY receptors located at osteoblast, chondrocyte, and osteocytes also provide a basis for nerve-skeleton metabolic pathways. NPY can directly regulate osteoprogenitor, involving in the production and differentiation of osteoblast and osteoclast. In addition, as a pivotal molecular of energy homeostasis, NPY may affect glucose and fat homeostasis. Studies of animal models also have further indicated energy metabolism may directly or indirectly participate in the regulation of bone mass. Therefore, further researches on the relationship between NPY and bone homeostasis may facilitate to unveil the central and peripheral regulatory effect of NPY on bone homeostasis and provide a new sight for the treatment of skeleton metabolism-related diseases in the future.

Advance in Role of Neuropeptide Y Receptors System in Pain Modulation (review) / 中国康复理论与实践

@#The neuropeptide Y receptors system is a receptor-ligand system composed of neuropeptide Y and its receptors, which is represented by two subtypes, including Y1 receptor (Y1R) and Y2 receptor (Y2R). The system is widely involved in pain modulation in mammals. These receptors are G protein-coupled receptors, participating in neuronal membrane signaling. Neuropeptide Y receptors distribute in the pain-related regions of the central nervous system, play a variety of roles in maintains neuronal activity of pain transmission, relate to the specificity of distribution. At the spinal level, Y1R plays an analgesic role, whereas Y2R is usually related to pain-promoting. The system can also take part in cerebral pain modulation at different nuclei.

Neuropeptide Y stimulates osteoblastic differentiation of murine MC3T3-E1 cells related to activated Wnt signaling in vitro / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the osteoblastic differentiation of murine MC3T3-E1 cells and its mechanism related to the Wnt signaling pathway.Methods The murine MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into 4 groups according to the stimulators added:phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (control) and different concentrations of NPY (10-8 mol/L,10-10 mol/L and 10-12 mol/L).The cellular proliferation was detected with MTT assay after 1,3,5,7 and 9 days.The cells were identified with cell immunochemistry and Western Blot to find out the most effective concentration of NPY at different time points under osteoblastic condition.The cells were then divided into 4 groups:PBS,NPY,NPY + NPY receptor antagonist,and NPY + DKK1.Western blot was used to determine the expression of β3-catenin and p-GSK-3β in each group.Nuclear signaling activity of β3-catenin was observed using immunofluorescence staining.Results NPY significantly improved the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells at 7 and 9 days (P ＜0.05).NPY (10s mol/L and 10-10 mol/L) groups and NPY (10-10 mol/L and 10-12 mol/L) groups significantly improved the ALP activity at 4 and 14 days respectively (P ＜ 0.05).At 4 days,the expression of ALP protein was significantly decreased in the NPY + DKK1 group and the NPY + NPY receptor antagonist group compared with that in the NPY group (P ＜ 0.05).Although the expression levels of [β-catenin and p-GSK-3β protein were uninfluenced in either case,NPY significantly stimulated the nuclear signaling activity of β3-catenin.Conclusions NPY may significantly increase the expression of ALP protein in MC3T3-E1 ceils during osteoblastic differentiation.This effect might be mediated through the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.

Relationship between neuropeptide Y gene polymorphism and schizophrenia / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective·To explore the association between neuropeptide Y (NPY) gene polymorphism and schizophrenia in Chinese Han population. Methods·Four single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci (rs16148, rs1859290, rs16147, and rs16478 in NPY gene) were selected and genotyped by TaqMan genotyping assay in a case-control study with 678 schizophrenia cases (case group) and 685 healthy controls (control group). The allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies distribution of the SNPs between the groups were compared with SHEsis online software. Results·The distribution of genotype frequency of locus rs16478 showed a nominal statistically difference between the adult-onset schizophrenia (AOS group) and control group (χ2=6.66, P=0.036, P correction=0.144). Under recessive inherited model, the distribution of CC genotype frequency of locus rs1859290 showed statistically difference between the male schizophrenia cases and control group (P=0.012, OR=0.97, 95％CI 0.94-0.99, P correction=0.048). The distribution of haplotype CCTA (consisted of rs16148, rs1859290, rs16147, and rs16478) frequency showed statistically difference between the male AOS group and control group (8.1％ vs 13.2％, OR=0.57, P=0.010, P correction=0.040). Conclusion·The polymorphisms in NPY gene may be associated with schizophrenia in Chinese Han population.

The changes of expression of neuropeptide Y and oxytocin in the plasma of first-episode schizophrenia patients / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY)and oxytocin (OXT) and the mRNA level of OXT gene in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy controls (HC).Methods The plasma concentration of NPY and OXT in 55 FES patients and 33 HC were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the mRNA level of OXT gene were performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).Results The NPY levels in FES patients ((1386.88±254.57) pg/ml) were significantly higher than that in HC ((1 140.62±266.63)pg/ml)(P＜0.01),and both the males and females in FES patients ((1 489.97±231.06)pg/ml and (1 279.97±236.30) pg/ml) were higher than their counterparts in HC ((1 305.40 ± 238.80) pg/ml and (965.55 ±165.45) pg/ml) (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The OXT level in FES patients ((553.26± 180.49) pg/ml) was lower than that in HC ((696.27±280.77) pg/ml) with significant difference (P＜0.05),especially the females FES patients ((597.49±178.63)pg/ml vs (785.51±329.60)pg/ml);but the mRNA expression of OXT gene in FES patients (0.2075 (0.1653,0.3388)) were significantly higher than that in HC (0.1615 (0.1321,0.2200)) (P＜0.05),and there were no differences between the females of the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion The FES patients presented abnormal expression of NPY and OXT,and the concentration changes of plasma NPY and OXT will provide referential significance for the diagnosis of schizophrenia(SZ).

The changes of expression of neuropeptide Y and oxytocin in the plasma of first-episode schizophrenia patients / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY)and oxytocin (OXT) and the mRNA level of OXT gene in first-episode schizophrenia (FES) patients and healthy controls (HC).Methods The plasma concentration of NPY and OXT in 55 FES patients and 33 HC were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the mRNA level of OXT gene were performed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).Results The NPY levels in FES patients ((1386.88±254.57) pg/ml) were significantly higher than that in HC ((1 140.62±266.63)pg/ml)(P＜0.01),and both the males and females in FES patients ((1 489.97±231.06)pg/ml and (1 279.97±236.30) pg/ml) were higher than their counterparts in HC ((1 305.40 ± 238.80) pg/ml and (965.55 ±165.45) pg/ml) (P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The OXT level in FES patients ((553.26± 180.49) pg/ml) was lower than that in HC ((696.27±280.77) pg/ml) with significant difference (P＜0.05),especially the females FES patients ((597.49±178.63)pg/ml vs (785.51±329.60)pg/ml);but the mRNA expression of OXT gene in FES patients (0.2075 (0.1653,0.3388)) were significantly higher than that in HC (0.1615 (0.1321,0.2200)) (P＜0.05),and there were no differences between the females of the two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion The FES patients presented abnormal expression of NPY and OXT,and the concentration changes of plasma NPY and OXT will provide referential significance for the diagnosis of schizophrenia(SZ).