Xuefu Zhuyu decoction improves neurological dysfunction by increasing synapsin expression after traumatic brain injury

Xuefu Zhuyu decoction has been used for treating traumatic brain injury and improving post-traumatic dysfunction, but its mechanism of action needs further investigation. This study established rat models of traumatic brain injury by controlled cortical impact. Rat models were intragastrically administered 9 and 18 g/kg Xuefu Zhuyu decoction once a day for 14 or 21 days. Changes in neurological function were assessed by modified neurological severity scores and the Morris water maze. Immunohistochemistry, western blot assay, and re- verse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze synapsin protein and mRNA expression at the injury site of rats. Our results showed that Xuefu Zhuyu decoction visibly improved neurological function of rats with traumatic brain injury. These changes were accompanied by increased expression of synaptophysin, synapsin I, and postsynaptic density protein-95 protein and mRNA in a dose-de- pendent manner. These findings indicate that Xuefu Zhuyu decoction increases synapsin expression and improves neurological deficits alder traumatic brain injury.

Genome-wide analysis of hippocampal transfer RNA-derived small RNAs identifies new potential therapeutic targets of Bushen Tiansui formula against Alzheimer’s disease

Objective:Bushen Tiansui formula(BSTSF),a traditional Chinese medicine prescription,has been widely used to treat Alzheimer’s disease(AD).However,the mechanisms underlying its effects remain largely unknown.In this study,a rat AD model was used to study the effects of BSTSF on cognitive performance and expression of transfer RNA-derived small RNAs(tsRNAs)in the hippocampus,to determine whether treatment of AD with BSTSF could regulate the expression of tsRNAs,a novel small non-coding RNA.Methods:To generate a validated AD model,oligomeric amyloid-β_(1-42)(Aβ_(1-42))was injected intracerebroventricularly into rats.The Morris water maze(MWM)test was used to evaluate rat cognitive performance,and tsRNA-sequencing was conducted to examine tsRNA expression in the rat hippocampus.Potential targets were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to investigate the biological function of candidate tsRNAs.Results:The learning and memory deficits of Aβ_(1-42)-induced AD rats,assessed by MWM tests,were clearly ameliorated by BSTSF treatment.A total of 387 tsRNAs were detected in the rat hippocampus.Among them,13 were significantly dysregulated in AD rats compared with sham control rats,while 57 were markedly altered by BSTSF treatment,relative to untreated AD rats(fold change>2 and P<0.05).Moreover,six BSTSF treatment-related tsRNAs were identified and validated by qRT-PCR.Bioinformatic analyses indicated that the six treatment-related tsRNAs had potential therapeutic roles,via multiple signaling pathways and Gene Ontology biological functions,including cyclic adenosine monophosphate and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling.Conclusion:This study identified a previously uncharacterized mechanism underlying the effects of BSTSF in alleviating the learning and memory deficits in Aβ_(1-42)-induced AD rats,demonstrating that tsRNAs are potential therapeutic targets of BSTSF in the treatment of AD.

Semen microbiota in normal and leukocytospermic males

Large numbers of microbes can be present in seminal fluid,and there are differences in the semen microbiota between normal and abnormal semen samples.To evaluate the semen microbiota in patients with leukocytospermia,87 seminal fluid samples,including 33 samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count and 54 samples with leukocytospermia,were obtained for a cross-sectional analysis.Twenty samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count had normal sperm parameters(Control group),and 13 samples with a normal seminal leukocyte count were from asthenozoospermia patients(Ast group).However,32 samples with leukocytospermia were from asthenozoospermia patients(LA group),and only 22 samples with leukocytospermia had normal sperm parameters(Leu group).The 16S ribosomal RNA(rRNA)gene sequencing method was used to sequence the microbiota in the seminal fluid,and multiple bioinformatics methods were utilized to analyze the data.Finally,the results showed that the worse sperm parameters were observed in the leukocytospermia-related groups.Semen microbiota analysis found that there was increased alpha diversity in the leukocytospermia-related groups.Firmicutes,Proteobacteria,Actinobacteria,and Bacteroidetes were the primary phyla in the seminal fluid.Two microbiota profiles,namely,Lactobacillus-enriched and Streptococcus-enriched groups,were identified in this study.The majority of the samples in the groups with a normal seminal leukocyte count could be categorized as Lactobacillus-enriched,whereas the majority of the leukocytospermia samples could be categorized as Streptococcus-enriched.Our study indicated that males with leukocytospermia have worse sperm parameters and a different semen microbiota composition compared to males with a normal seminal leukocyte count.