AIM： To investigate the effect and mechanism of electro-acupuncture lEA） at ST25 and ST37 on irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） of rats. METHODS： A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into norm...AIM： To investigate the effect and mechanism of electro-acupuncture lEA） at ST25 and ST37 on irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） of rats. METHODS： A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and EA group. A rat model of IBS was established by constraining the limbs and distending the colorectum of rats. Rats in EA group received bilateral EA at ST25 and ST37 with a sparse and intense waveform at a frequency of 2/50 Hz for 15 min, once a day for 7 d as a course. Rats in normal and model groups were stimulated by distending colorectum （CR）. An abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） scoring system was used to evaluate improvements in visceral hypersensitivity. Toluidine blue-improved method, immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay were used to observe mucosal mast cells （MC）, changes of substance P （SP） and substance P receptor （SPR） in colon and change of corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH） in hypothalamus. RESULTS： The threshold of visceral sense was significantly lower in model group than in normal group,and significantly higher in EA group than in model group. The number of mucosal MC was greater in model group than in normal group and significantly smaller in EA group than in model group. The CRH level in hypothalamus of rats was significantly higher in model group than in normal group, which was remarkably decreased after electro-acupuncture treatment. The SP and SPR expression in colon of rats in model group was decreased after electro-acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION： EA at ST25 and ST37 can decrease the number of mucosal MC and down-regulate the expression of CRH in hypothalamus, and the expression of SP and SPR in colon of rats with IBS.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity.METHODS: A rat model of chronic v...AIM: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity.METHODS: A rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity was generated according to the internationally accepted method of colorectal balloon dilatation. In the 7th week after the procedure, rats were randomly divided into a model group(MG), electroacupuncture group(EA), and sham electroacupuncture group(S-EA). After treatment, the abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR) score was used to assess the behavioral response of visceral hyperalgesia. Immunohistochemistry(En Vision method), ELISA, and fluorescence quantitative PCR methods were applied to detect the expression of CRH protein and m RNA in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus.RESULTS: The sensitivity of the rats to the colorectal distension stimulus applied at different strengths(20-80 mm Hg) increased with increasing stimulus strength, resulting in increasing AWR scores in each group. Compared with NG, the AWR score of MG was significantly increased(P < 0.01). After conducting EA, the AWR scores of the rats were decreased compared with MG rats. The relative expression of CRH m RNA in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus of MG rats was significantly increased compared with NG rats(P < 0.01). CRH m RNA in the colon and spinal cord of EA and S-EA rats was decreased to varying degrees(P > 0.05) compared with normal rats(NG). However, the decrease in EA compared with MG rats was statistically significant(P < 0.01). The average optical density of CRH expression in the colon of the MG rats was significantly enhanced compared with NG(P < 0.05), while the average optical density of CRH expression in the EA and S-EA rats was significantly decreased compared with MG rats(P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Compared with MG rats, the CRH concentration in the spinal cord of EA rats was significantly reduced(P < 0.01), but there was no significant change in S-EA rats(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at the Shangjuxu acupoint was able to significantly reduce the visceral hypersensitivity in rats, and regulated the expression of CRH protein and m RNA in the colon, spinal cord and hypothalamus at different levels, playing a therapeutic role in this model of irritable bowel syndrome.展开更多
Purpose: Can Cortisol Releasing Hormone (CRH) levels in follicular fluid predict outcomes following assisted reproductive treatment (ART) cycles? Methods: Prospective cohort study of 50 women undergoing in vitro ferti...Purpose: Can Cortisol Releasing Hormone (CRH) levels in follicular fluid predict outcomes following assisted reproductive treatment (ART) cycles? Methods: Prospective cohort study of 50 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles over a two month study period. All patients were treated on the long stimulation protocol;follicular fluid was aspirated and pooled for each patient. The samples were processed appropriately and assayed using CRH radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: This study confirmed that CRH was present in follicular fluid. The average level detected was 173 ± 9 pg/mL (mean ± standard error of mean [SEM]). The data suggests a positive correlation of CRH follicular fluid levels greater than 145 pg/mL with successful ART outcomes. Conclusion: The data indicates a positive correlation between ART outcomes and the presence of follicular fluid CRH levels greater than 145 pg/mL. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and pooling of follicular fluid per patient. Furthermore, the pooling of follicular fluid is not representative of CRH levels in an individual follicle, and thus, mature oocyte. This study serves as a reminder to what has previously been hypothesised.展开更多
Corticotropin-releasing hormone is a critical component of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis,which plays a major role in the body’s immune response to stress.Mast cells are both sensors and effectors in the i...Corticotropin-releasing hormone is a critical component of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis,which plays a major role in the body’s immune response to stress.Mast cells are both sensors and effectors in the interaction between the nervous and immune systems.As first responders to stress,mast cells can initiate,amplify and prolong neuroimmune responses upon activation.Corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a pivotal role in triggering stress responses and related diseases by acting on its receptors in mast cells.Corticotropin-releasing hormone can stimulate mast cell activation,influence the activation of immune cells by peripheral nerves and modulate neuroimmune interactions.The latest evidence shows that the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone induces the degranulation of mast cells under stress conditions,leading to disruption of the bloodbrain barrier,which plays an important role in neurological diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,multiple sclerosis,autism spectrum disorder and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Recent studies suggest that stress increases intestinal permeability and disrupts the blood-brain barrier through corticotropin-releasing hormone-mediated activation of mast cells,providing new insight into the complex interplay between the brain and gastrointestinal tract.The neuroimmune target of mast cells is the site at which the corticotropin-releasing hormone directly participates in the inflammatory responses of nerve terminals.In this review,we focus on the neuroimmune connections between corticotropin-releasing hormone and mast cells,with the aim of providing novel potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory,autoimmune and nervous system diseases.展开更多
Objective Corticotropin-releasing hormone（CRH）plays an important role in neuroendocrine,autonomic and behavioral responses to stressors.In the present study,the effect of chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS）on ...Objective Corticotropin-releasing hormone（CRH）plays an important role in neuroendocrine,autonomic and behavioral responses to stressors.In the present study,the effect of chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS）on CRH neurons was investigated in rat brain.Methods The rats were exposed to one of the stressors each day for 21 d.Immunostaining was performed to detect the CRH-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus（PVN）of the hypothalamus and in amygdala.Results After the stress protocol,the animals showed a reduction in body weight gain as well as reduced sucrose preference and locomotor activity.Interestingly,the CRH neurons in both PVN and central nucleus of the amygdala（CeA）were stimulated by CUMS.The densities of CRH-containing neurons in both PVN and CeA were significantly higher than those in control group.Conclusion The CRH systems in PVN and CeA may both contribute to depression-like behaviors during CUMS.展开更多
基金Supported by Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Acupuncture Combined with Medication (Nanjing University of TCM), Ministry of Education, No. KJA200809Shanghai Rising-Star Program, No. 08QA14064Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project, No. S30304
文摘AIM： To investigate the effect and mechanism of electro-acupuncture lEA） at ST25 and ST37 on irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） of rats. METHODS： A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group and EA group. A rat model of IBS was established by constraining the limbs and distending the colorectum of rats. Rats in EA group received bilateral EA at ST25 and ST37 with a sparse and intense waveform at a frequency of 2/50 Hz for 15 min, once a day for 7 d as a course. Rats in normal and model groups were stimulated by distending colorectum （CR）. An abdominal withdrawal reflex （AWR） scoring system was used to evaluate improvements in visceral hypersensitivity. Toluidine blue-improved method, immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay were used to observe mucosal mast cells （MC）, changes of substance P （SP） and substance P receptor （SPR） in colon and change of corticotropin-releasing hormone （CRH） in hypothalamus. RESULTS： The threshold of visceral sense was significantly lower in model group than in normal group,and significantly higher in EA group than in model group. The number of mucosal MC was greater in model group than in normal group and significantly smaller in EA group than in model group. The CRH level in hypothalamus of rats was significantly higher in model group than in normal group, which was remarkably decreased after electro-acupuncture treatment. The SP and SPR expression in colon of rats in model group was decreased after electro-acupuncture treatment. CONCLUSION： EA at ST25 and ST37 can decrease the number of mucosal MC and down-regulate the expression of CRH in hypothalamus, and the expression of SP and SPR in colon of rats with IBS.
基金Supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation funded project,No.200801260,No.20080430117the National Basic Research Program of China 973 program,No.2009CB522900the Specialized Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education No.20123107110008
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH) in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity.METHODS: A rat model of chronic visceral hypersensitivity was generated according to the internationally accepted method of colorectal balloon dilatation. In the 7th week after the procedure, rats were randomly divided into a model group(MG), electroacupuncture group(EA), and sham electroacupuncture group(S-EA). After treatment, the abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR) score was used to assess the behavioral response of visceral hyperalgesia. Immunohistochemistry(En Vision method), ELISA, and fluorescence quantitative PCR methods were applied to detect the expression of CRH protein and m RNA in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus.RESULTS: The sensitivity of the rats to the colorectal distension stimulus applied at different strengths(20-80 mm Hg) increased with increasing stimulus strength, resulting in increasing AWR scores in each group. Compared with NG, the AWR score of MG was significantly increased(P < 0.01). After conducting EA, the AWR scores of the rats were decreased compared with MG rats. The relative expression of CRH m RNA in the colon, spinal cord, and hypothalamus of MG rats was significantly increased compared with NG rats(P < 0.01). CRH m RNA in the colon and spinal cord of EA and S-EA rats was decreased to varying degrees(P > 0.05) compared with normal rats(NG). However, the decrease in EA compared with MG rats was statistically significant(P < 0.01). The average optical density of CRH expression in the colon of the MG rats was significantly enhanced compared with NG(P < 0.05), while the average optical density of CRH expression in the EA and S-EA rats was significantly decreased compared with MG rats(P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively). Compared with MG rats, the CRH concentration in the spinal cord of EA rats was significantly reduced(P < 0.01), but there was no significant change in S-EA rats(P > 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at the Shangjuxu acupoint was able to significantly reduce the visceral hypersensitivity in rats, and regulated the expression of CRH protein and m RNA in the colon, spinal cord and hypothalamus at different levels, playing a therapeutic role in this model of irritable bowel syndrome.
文摘Purpose: Can Cortisol Releasing Hormone (CRH) levels in follicular fluid predict outcomes following assisted reproductive treatment (ART) cycles? Methods: Prospective cohort study of 50 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF)/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles over a two month study period. All patients were treated on the long stimulation protocol;follicular fluid was aspirated and pooled for each patient. The samples were processed appropriately and assayed using CRH radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: This study confirmed that CRH was present in follicular fluid. The average level detected was 173 ± 9 pg/mL (mean ± standard error of mean [SEM]). The data suggests a positive correlation of CRH follicular fluid levels greater than 145 pg/mL with successful ART outcomes. Conclusion: The data indicates a positive correlation between ART outcomes and the presence of follicular fluid CRH levels greater than 145 pg/mL. The results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and pooling of follicular fluid per patient. Furthermore, the pooling of follicular fluid is not representative of CRH levels in an individual follicle, and thus, mature oocyte. This study serves as a reminder to what has previously been hypothesised.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81671387(to YNQ),81701375(to HQD)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD),China.
文摘Corticotropin-releasing hormone is a critical component of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis,which plays a major role in the body’s immune response to stress.Mast cells are both sensors and effectors in the interaction between the nervous and immune systems.As first responders to stress,mast cells can initiate,amplify and prolong neuroimmune responses upon activation.Corticotropin-releasing hormone plays a pivotal role in triggering stress responses and related diseases by acting on its receptors in mast cells.Corticotropin-releasing hormone can stimulate mast cell activation,influence the activation of immune cells by peripheral nerves and modulate neuroimmune interactions.The latest evidence shows that the release of corticotropin-releasing hormone induces the degranulation of mast cells under stress conditions,leading to disruption of the bloodbrain barrier,which plays an important role in neurological diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,multiple sclerosis,autism spectrum disorder and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Recent studies suggest that stress increases intestinal permeability and disrupts the blood-brain barrier through corticotropin-releasing hormone-mediated activation of mast cells,providing new insight into the complex interplay between the brain and gastrointestinal tract.The neuroimmune target of mast cells is the site at which the corticotropin-releasing hormone directly participates in the inflammatory responses of nerve terminals.In this review,we focus on the neuroimmune connections between corticotropin-releasing hormone and mast cells,with the aim of providing novel potential therapeutic targets for inflammatory,autoimmune and nervous system diseases.
文摘Objective Corticotropin-releasing hormone（CRH）plays an important role in neuroendocrine,autonomic and behavioral responses to stressors.In the present study,the effect of chronic unpredictable mild stress（CUMS）on CRH neurons was investigated in rat brain.Methods The rats were exposed to one of the stressors each day for 21 d.Immunostaining was performed to detect the CRH-positive neurons in the paraventricular nucleus（PVN）of the hypothalamus and in amygdala.Results After the stress protocol,the animals showed a reduction in body weight gain as well as reduced sucrose preference and locomotor activity.Interestingly,the CRH neurons in both PVN and central nucleus of the amygdala（CeA）were stimulated by CUMS.The densities of CRH-containing neurons in both PVN and CeA were significantly higher than those in control group.Conclusion The CRH systems in PVN and CeA may both contribute to depression-like behaviors during CUMS.
