Study on the Ameliorative Effect of Icariin Mediating NO/cGMP/PKGI Signalling Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease.

Objective: To investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on cognitive function and NO/cGMP/PKGI signaling pathway in mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were used as the Control group, and APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were used to establish the AD model. The mice were randomly divided into AD group, AD+L-icariin group (10 mg/kg), and AD+H-icariin group (40 mg/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Water maze and Y-maze tests were used to evaluate the learning and memory abilities of mice. ELISA was used to measure the levels of serum Aß and cGMP. Tunel staining was used to determine the apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure the expression of Brdu, Dcx, and NeuN in the hippocampus. The protein expressions of iNOS, sGC, PKGI, Caspase3, Bax, and Bcl-2 in brain tissue were determined by Western blot. Results: Compared with the control group, the learning and memory ability of the AD group was significantly decreased, the serum levels of Aß and cGMP were increased, the neuronal apoptosis was increased, the contents of Brdu, Dcx and NeuN were decreased, the expression of iNOS, sGC, PKGI, Caspase-3 and Bax proteins was increased, and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was decreased (P < .05). Compared with the AD group, the AD mice treated with icariin (40mg/kg) showed improved learning and memory abilities, decreased serum Aß and cGMP contents, decreased neuronal apoptosis, increased Brdu, Dcx, and NeuN contents, and decreased iNOS, sGC, PKGI, Caspase-3, and Bax protein expressions. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased (P < .05). Conclusion: Icariin improves AD in mice by activating the NO/cGMP/PKGI signaling pathway.

High Level of Soluble CD146 In Cerebrospinal Fluid Might be a Biomarker of Severity of Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis.

Background: Disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is an important pathophysiological process of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis. A recent multi-center study showed that soluble (s) CD146 is a potential biomarker for monitoring early BBB damage and central nervous system inflammation, but little is known about sCD146 in anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Method: Twenty-three anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients and seventeen controls with non-inflammatory neurological diseases were recruited. sCD146 and inflammatory cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum were detected by ELISA. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were used to assess the neurological status of each patient. A follow-up review was completed three months after discharge. Results: sCD146 levels in the CSF of patients with the acute stage anti-NMDAR encephalitis were significantly increased compared with controls and accompanied by increases in TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10. CSF sCD146 was positively correlated with neuroinflammatory factors in the CSF and with mRS score. Three months after effective treatment, CSF sCD146 in patients was significantly decreased but remained significantly different compared with the controls. Conclusion: Our data suggested that higher expression of CSF sCD146 correlated with more serious neurological damage. Therefore, levels of CSF sCD146 may represent a promising indicator for monitoring disease and optimizing clinical treatment decisions in the early stages of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In Parkinson's disease (PD), wearing off and side effects of long-term medication and complications pose challenges for neurologists. Although Tai Chi is beneficial for many illnesses, its efficacy for PD remains uncertain. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tai Chi for PD. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Tai Chi for PD were electronically searched by the end of December 2013 and identified by two independent reviewers. The tool from the Cochrane Handbook 5.1 was used to assess the risk of bias. A standard meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.2 software. RESULTS: Ten trials with PD of mild-to-moderate severity were included in the review, and nine trials (n = 409) were included in the meta-analysis. The risk of bias was generally high in the blinding of participants and personnel. Improvements in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (mean difference (MD) -4.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.67--2.01), Berg Balance Scale (MD: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.83-5.66), functional reach test (MD: 3.89, 95% CI: 1.73-6.04), Timed Up and Go test (MD: -0.75, 95% CI: -1.30--0.21), stride length (standardized MD: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.03-1.09), health-related quality of life (standardized MD: -1.10, 95% CI: -1.81--0.39) and reduction of falls were greater after interventions with Tai Chi plus medication. Satisfaction and safety were high. Intervention with Tai Chi alone was more effective for only a few balance and mobility outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Tai Chi performed with medication resulted in promising gains in mobility and balance, and it was safe and popular among PD patients at an early stage of the disease. This provides a new evidence for PD management. More RCTs with larger sample size that carefully address blinding and prudently select outcomes are needed. PROSPERO registration number CRD42013004989.