Research progress on mitochondrial oxidative stress and corresponding targeted delivery systems in Alzheimer's disease / 药学学报

Mitochondrial oxidative stress has been recognized as a preliminary and critical factor that aggravates the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease, which induces the production of β-amyloid protein, upregulates the expression of phosphorylated tau protein and triggers oxidative damage to lipids, proteins and mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid. Central neurons are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than non-neuronal cells due to their high oxygen demand, abundant unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant enzymes deficiency. On this account, this review introduces the causes of mitochondrial oxidative stress, and analyzes the important role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Meanwhile, the review focuses on the design and intervention strategies of drug delivery systems targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress in neurons, aiming to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Effect of Early-stage Acupuncture Intervention on Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Hemiplegic Balance Disturbance / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of balance acupuncture predominantly by puncturing Jiaji points (EX-B2) from C4 to T1and from T12 to L1in treating hemiplegic balance disturbance after cerebral stroke. Method A total of 180 hemiplegia patients were randomized into 3 groups, 60 cases in balance acupuncture group, 60 cases in ordinary acupuncture group, and 60 cases in basic control group. After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, the motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA), balance function (Berg Balance Scale, BBS; Timed Up and Go Test, TUGT), and activities of daily living (ADL) (Barthel Index, BI) were observed.Result After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, limb function, balance ability and ADL were significantly different from those before the treatment in balance acupuncture group (P<0.01); after 1-month treatment, limb function in balance acupuncture group was significantly different from that in basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01); there were significant differences between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, there was a significant difference in comparing balance function between balance acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01), there was no significant difference in comparing balance function between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P>0.05).Conclusion In combination with basic treatment, balance acupuncture works better than ordinary acupuncture and basic control in improving limb function, ADL and balance function of hemiplegia patients.

Effect of Early-stage Acupuncture Intervention on Activities of Daily Living in Patients with Hemiplegic Balance Disturbance / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of balance acupuncture predominantly by puncturing Jiaji points (EX-B2) from C4 to T1and from T12 to L1in treating hemiplegic balance disturbance after cerebral stroke. Method A total of 180 hemiplegia patients were randomized into 3 groups, 60 cases in balance acupuncture group, 60 cases in ordinary acupuncture group, and 60 cases in basic control group. After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, the motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA), balance function (Berg Balance Scale, BBS; Timed Up and Go Test, TUGT), and activities of daily living (ADL) (Barthel Index, BI) were observed.Result After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, limb function, balance ability and ADL were significantly different from those before the treatment in balance acupuncture group (P<0.01); after 1-month treatment, limb function in balance acupuncture group was significantly different from that in basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01); there were significant differences between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, there was a significant difference in comparing balance function between balance acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01), there was no significant difference in comparing balance function between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P>0.05).Conclusion In combination with basic treatment, balance acupuncture works better than ordinary acupuncture and basic control in improving limb function, ADL and balance function of hemiplegia patients.

Progress in the biomarker discovery for drug-induced liver injury / 药学学报

The leading cause of drug withdrawal from market and clinical trials failure is drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Varying clinical, histological and laboratory features of DILI, as well as undefined underlying mechanisms, hinder patients to be diagnosed in the early-stage of the disease and receive effective treatments. Conventional indicators, like serum transaminases and bilirubin, have inevitable limitations referring to sensitive prediction and specific detection of DILI. In order to reduce the occurrence of DILI, researchers have attempted to discover potential biomarkers with higher specificity and sensitivity from blood and urine in recent years. This article aims to review recent advances in biomarkers of DILI.

Enhancement of systemic and CNS delivery of meptazinol hydrochloride by intranasal administration to rats / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the extent of systemic absorption and uptake of meptazinol (MEP) hydrochloride in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after intranasal administration on rats and compare with oral administration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CSF samples were collected by a serial sampling method. The concentration of MEP in the biological samples was measured by HPLC with fluorescence detector.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Rapid and significant levels of MEP in plasma and CSF can be achieved after nasal administration whereas the oral administration resulted in considerably lower drug concentrations. AUC in plasma and CSF from the nasal route are 7.375 and 15.6 folds compared with those of the oral route, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intranasal MEP is able to show quick absorption and improve the bioavailability, which could be a promising alternative to oral administration.</p>

Effects of intranasal administration of nimodipine on cerebral hemodynamics of dogs / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of nimodipine (NM) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) in dogs following intranasal administration.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NM solution was administered intranasally, intravenously (i.v.), and orally to dogs and the change of CBF was determined by using electromagnetic blood flowmeter. MFLab experimental program was applied to monitor the experimental process and analyze data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CBF markedly increased after iv and intranasal application, while large variance was observed after oral dosing. CBF in dogs after three administrations increased by 26.4%, 28.0% and 8.5%, respectively, compared with that of baseline. Following intranasal administration, the onset of action was slightly slower than that after iv injection [(5 +/- 4) min vs (2.2 +/- 1.2) min], however the duration of improvement was the longest [ (25 +/- 17) min].</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intranasal delivery for NM can be a promising alternative to parenteral or oral administration.</p>