Effects of three kinds of head acupuncture therapies on regulation of brain microenvironment and rehabilitation of nerve function in rats with cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE:To compare and observe the effects of three kinds of cephalic acupuncture therapies commonly used in the clinic on promoting nerve function rehabilitation in the brain microenvironment of rats with cerebral palsy.METHODS:A negative control group,positive control group,and three cephalic acupuncture groups based on the administration of three cephalic acupuncture therapies were established.Ten experimental rats were selected from each group at 1,2,and 3 weeks after modeling.Neuromotor function after treatment was rated according to the Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan method.White matter fiber bundles were evaluated by head diffusion tensor imaging.The expression levels of neuron-specific enolase,microtubule-associated protein 2,and myelin basic protein in the brain tissue extract were detected by Western blot analysis and the activities of ATPases were determined using a fixed phosphorus method.RESULTS:The pathological changes in brain tissue were restored and motor function scores were increased in the mice in each cephalic acupuncture group,and the expression of neuronal growth-related proteins in the brain tissue extract was significantly increased.Additionally,the activities of ATPases in the lesion area were significant enhanced(P<0.05).Diffusion tensor imaging revealed that the white matter fiber bundles of mice in each cephalic acupuncture group gradually increased and recovered.The nervous system structure was significantly improved.CONCLUSIONS:All three acupuncture methods promoted the rehabilitation of nerve function damaged by cerebral palsy.These effects are likely related to the improved expression of nerve growth-related proteins,enhancement of ATPase activities,and regulation of the brain microenvironment.

Clinical investigations of immunotherapy for human primary brain tumors

Human primary brain cancer is one of the most lethal and clinically challenging malignancies.The failure of conventional therapies to alleviate its poor outcome has prompted efforts to find innovative treatments.Recent breakthroughs in immunotherapy across a variety of solid tumors have set immune-based therapeutics as a pillar for brain cancer treatment.However,the unique features of brain malignancies including intratumoral heterogeneity,immunosuppressive microenvironment,and impervious blood-brain barrier,thwart the success of immunotherapeutic approaches.Yet,seminal findings regarding tumor-driven enrichment of specific immune cells granted the field novel insights to harness the immune cells to fight cancer.This review discusses the anatomical,microenvironmental,and immunobiological features of the human brain and presents an overview of immunotherapies tested for primary brain cancer patients with a special emphasis on registered phase 2,3,and combinatorial clinical trials.Immune checkpoint inhibitors,immune cell-based therapies,cancer vaccines,oncolytic viral therapy,and combination therapies are investigated in clinical settings for the treatment of human brain tumors.Despite their occasional adverse effects,immune-targeted therapies provide a promising opportunity for primary brain cancer patients to enhance survival and improve prognosis.