Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of patients with depression

Objective： To investigate the effects of sleep electroencephalogram-modulated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （SEM-rTMS） and conventional rTMS （C-rTMS） on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis in patients with depression. Methods： In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 164 patients diagnosed with depression were randomized to treatment with SEM-rTMS （n=57）, C-rTMS （n=55） or sham rTMS （n=52） for 30 rain every day for 10 d. Before and after treatment plasma concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone （ACTH） and cortisol （CORT） were measured, and the 24-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale （HAMD-24） was used for assessment. Results： The HAMD-24 scores and plasma ACTH and CORT concentrations of these depressive patients before treatment were significantly different from those of the normal control group （P〈0.05）. The HAMD-24 scores and plasma ACTH and CORT concentrations in the SEM-rTMS group and conventional rTMS group were decreased significantly （P〈0.05）. There was a significant positive correlation between the HAMD-24 scores and plasma ACTH （n=240, r=0.105, P=0.048） and CORT concentrations （n-240, r=0.126, P=0.023） in the patients with depression before and after treatment. Conclusion： The antidepressant effect of rTMS, including SEM-rTMS, may be related to its decreasing HPA axis activity. （This trail was registered. No： ChiCTR-TRC-00000465）

Shizhenqing granule stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and reduces serum pro-inflammatory factors in a rat model with chronic eczema

Objective:In this study,we examined the effects of Shizhenqing granule(SZQG)on hypothalamicpituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis and serum inflammatory factors in a rat model of chronic eczema,in order to explore the mechanism of action of SZQG in treatment of this disease.Methods:Sixty SpragueeDawley male rats were randomly divided into six groups(with 10 rats per group):blank group;model group;positive control group(prednisone);and the low-,medium-,and high-dose SZQG groups.Except for the blank group,rats in all other groups were treated with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene to induce chronic eczema.These rats were administered prednisone or SZQG for 7 consecutive days after successful establishment of the chronic eczema model,and samples were collected 12 h after the last administration.The degree of skin lesions and the changes in serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),cortisol(CORT),interleukin(IL)-4,interferon(IFN)-g,IL-25,and IL-31 among the groups were compared.Results:SZQG effectively increased the levels of CRH,ACTH,and CORT,which decreased in the serum of rats with chronic eczema,stimulated the function of the HPA axis,and promoted the expression of glucocorticoids.SZQG reduced the serum levels of inflammatory factors including IL-4,IL-25 and IL-31,which were overexpressed in rats with chronic eczema,and increased those of anti-inflammatory factor IFN-g,thereby alleviating the inflammatory symptoms and itching,and ameliorating the clinical symptoms of chronic eczema.Conclusion:SZQG effectively alleviates skin lesions in the chronic eczema rat model by stimulating the function of the HPA axis.

The total flavonoids extracted from Xiaobuxin Tang reverse the hyperactivity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in chronically stressed rats

Objective To investigate the effect of XBXT-2 on the activity of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis in chronic mild stress(CMS)model of rats.Methods Using ELISA to test the serum corticosterone,adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)and corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH)level in CMS rats;Using western blot to determine hippocampal glucocorticoids receptors(GR)expression in CMS rats.Results Co-administration of XBXT-2(25,50 mg·kg-1,p.o.,28 days,the effective doses for behavioral responses)significantly decreased the serum corticosterone and ACTH level in CMS rats,while the CRH level was not markedly affected by chronic stress or drugs.Moreover,XBXT-2 significantly increased the GR expression in the hippocampus of CMS rats.The same effects were observed in the positive control drug imipramine(10 mg·kg-1,p.o.).Conclusions The decrease of serum corticosterone and ACTH level,as well as the increase of hippocampal GR expression may be the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant action of XBXT-2,which may associate with HPA axis.

Seasonal photoperiodic influence of pineal melatonin on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-hippocampal-receptor in male rats

Background: Based on the effect of seasonal changes on human visceral function, this study investigated the impact of seasonal photoperiod of the pineal body on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-hippocampal-receptor in rats, aiming to reveal the mechanism by which pineal gland melatonin regulates the seasonal secretion of hippocampal neurotransmitters.Methods: Vernal equinox, summer solstice, autumn equinox, and winter solstice were selected as four experimental time points, and rats were randomly divided into normal control group, sham operation group, and pinealectomized group. The seasonal changes in corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), corticosterone, hypothalamic melatonin receptor(MTR), and hippocampal corticosterone receptor(CORTR) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: Comparing the same group between different seasons, we showed that in the normal control group, CRH, ACTH, corticosterone, and MTR were higher, while CORTR was lower in autumn and winter than in spring(all P <.05). Compared with the normal control group, the pinealectomized group showed higher levels of corticosterone(P =.01), MTR(P =.01), and CORTR(P =.03) during spring;reduced levels of MTR and CORTR(both P <.001) during summer;higher levels of ACTH(P =.001) and MTR(P <.001),and lower levels of CRH(P =.001), corticosterone(P <.001), and CORTR(P =.003) during autumn;and lower levels of CRH(P <.001) and MTR(P =.004), and higher level of ACTH(P <.001) in winter.Conclusions: Seasonal photoperiod acts on the pineal gland to secrete different levels of melatonin,resulting in seasonal changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis-hippocampal-receptor, which may be the pathophysiological basis for the onset of seasonal affective disorder.

Individual Differences in Stress Responsiveness of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Its Vasopressinergic Regulation in Old Monkeys

Stress adaptation is fundamental for health, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is one of its main mechanisms. Considerable data indicate that arginine vasopressin (AVP) related disturbances of stress adaptation can occur with aging. However, most studies of such kind have been performed on rodents, give contradictory results and fail to consider individual characteristics of the animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate individual HPA responsiveness to acute stress and its vasopressinergic regulation in old female rhesus monkeys that differ in their behavioral responses to stress. Animals with depression-like or anxiety-like behavior (DAB) responded with higher plasma levels of ACTH and AVP, lower levels of corticosteroids and higher cortisol/DHEAS molar ratios to restraint stress and to insulin-induced hypoglycemia compared with animals with healthy adaptive behavior. AVP and ACTH dynamics were closely correlated in most animals. AVP treatment produced differences in HPA responses similar to those produced by the stressors. The ACTH response to hypoglycemic stress in the DAB animal with highest HPA responsiveness was dramatically reduced by prior administration of a V1b receptor antagonist. These results suggest that the dysfunctions of HPA observed in old animals with DAB are caused by increased tone of the vasopressinergic system in regulation of HPA stress reactivity.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders and gut-brain axis: What does the future hold?

Despite their high prevalence, lack of understanding of the exact pathophysiology of the functional gastrointestinal disorders has restricted us to symptomatic diagnostic tools and therapies. Complex mechanisms underlying the disturbances in the bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain have a vital role in the pathogenesis and are key to our understanding of the disease phenomenon. Although we have come a long way in our understanding of these complex disorders with the help of studies on animals especially rodents, there need to be more studies in humans, especially to identify the therapeutic targets. This review study looks at the anatomical features of the gut-brain axis in order to discuss the different factors and underlying molecular mechanisms that may have a role in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders. These molecules and their receptors can be targeted in future for further studies and possible therapeutic interventions. The article also discusses the potential role of artificial intelligence and machine learning and its possible role in our understanding of these scientifically challenging disorders.

A Semi-analytical Method for Vibrational and Buckling Analysis of Functionally Graded Nanobeams Considering the Physical Neutral Axis Position

In this paper,a semi-analytical method is presented for free vibration and buckling analysis of functionally graded(FG)size-dependent nanobeams based on the physical neutral axis position.It is the first time that a semi-analytical differential transform method(DTM)solution is developed for the FG nanobeams vibration and buckling analysis.Material properties of FG nanobeam are supposed to vary continuously along the thickness according to the power-law form.The physical neutral axis position for mentioned FG nanobeams is determined.The small scale effect is taken into consideration based on nonlocal elasticity theory of Eringen.The nonlocal equations of motion are derived through Hamilton’s principle and they are solved applying DTM.It is demonstrated that the DTM has high precision and computational efficiency in the vibration analysis of FG nanobeams.The good agreement between the results of this article and those available in literature validated the presented approach.The detailed mathematical derivations are presented and numerical investigations are performed while the emphasis is placed on investigating the effect of the several parameters such as neutral axis position,small scale effects,the material distribution profile,mode number,thickness ratio and boundary conditions on the normalized natural frequencies and dimensionless buckling load of the FG nanobeams in detail.It is explicitly shown that the vibration and buckling behaviour of a FG nanobeams is significantly influenced by these effects.

Glucocorticoid receptor signaling in the brain and its involvement in cognitive function

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulates the secretion of glucoco rticoids in response to environmental challenges.In the brain,a nuclear receptor transcription fa ctor,the glucocorticoid recepto r,is an important component of the hypothalamicpituitary-a d renal axis's negative feedback loop and plays a key role in regulating cognitive equilibrium and neuroplasticity.The glucoco rticoid receptor influences cognitive processes,including glutamate neurotransmission,calcium signaling,and the activation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated pathways,through a combination of genomic and non-genomic mechanisms.Protein interactions within the central nervous system can alter the expression and activity of the glucocorticoid receptor,there by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-a d renal axis and stress-related cognitive functions.An appropriate level of glucocorticoid receptor expression can improve cognitive function,while excessive glucocorticoid receptors or long-term exposure to glucoco rticoids may lead to cognitive impairment.Patients with cognitive impairment-associated diseases,such as Alzheimer's disease,aging,depression,Parkinson's disease,Huntington's disease,stroke,and addiction,often present with dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and glucocorticoid receptor expression.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the functions of the glucoco rticoid receptor in the hypothalamic-pituitary-a d renal axis and cognitive activities.It emphasizes that appropriate glucocorticoid receptor signaling fa cilitates learning and memory,while its dysregulation can lead to cognitive impairment.This provides clues about how glucocorticoid receptor signaling can be targeted to ove rcome cognitive disability-related disorders.

Tilted Axis Rotation of ^(57)Mn in Covariant Density Functional Theory

The self-consistent tilted axis cranking covariant density functional theory based on the point-coupling interaction is applied to investigate the tilted axis rotation in ^57 Mn. The observed data for band C are reproduced well with the assigned configuration eonfig 1. The shears mechanism for magnetic rotation is examined by investigating microscopically the orientation of angular momentum and the corresponding contributions. It is found that config 1 and config 3 correspond to a rotation of high-K character. Config 2 corresponds to a rotation of magnetic character. However, due to the presence of electromagnetic transition B（M1） and B（E2）, collective rotation plays an essential role in the competition with magnetic rotation.

Functional changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Background:Cardiac arrest(CA)is a terminal event that results in a range of pathophysiological changes in the body,most notably,systemic ischemia-reperfusion injury.The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis is an important neuroendocrine system that modulates adrenocortical hormone release.This study was designed to investigate the changes in HPA-related hormone levels after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR)and to explore possible etiologies to provide a basis for relevant clinical research.Methods:We collected the clinical data of 96 patients with CA admitted to the Emergency Department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital,Capital Medical University,between January 2016 and May 2017.Serum samples were collected 6,24,and 72 hours after restoring spontaneous circulation(ROSC).The data were compared with those of the healthy control group(n=50).An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was performed to measure copeptin,adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticotropin-releasing hormone(CRH),and total cortisol.Demographic data were collected for both groups.For the CPR group,clinical data and the end-of-study cerebral performance category(CPC)were analyzed.Patients were followed up through day 28.Death or survival after day 28 was used as the study endpoint.Simple values were expressed as medians and quartiles or ratios(%)for statistical analysis.Continuous variables are expressed as mean±standard deviation.Categorical variables were expressed as frequencies and percentages.The mean values of normally distributed measurement data were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance(ANOVA)for among-group comparisons and the least significant difference(LSD)test for between-group comparisons.SPSS v17(SPSS,Chicago,IL,USA)was used for statistical analysis,and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:No significant between-group differences were observed in terms of age or sex.The 28-day mortality rate in the CPR group was 71%.ACTH and CRH levels were significantly lower in the CPR group than in the healthy control group(P<0.001).Copeptin and cortisol levels 6 hours after ROSC were significantly higher in the CPR group than in the healthy control group(P<0.001).No significant changes in any indicator were observed over time(6,24,and 72 hours after ROSC)(P>0.05).The CPC score was 1–2(good cerebral performance group)in 13 patients,3–4(poor cerebral performance group)in 17 patients,and 5(brain death or clinical death)in 66 patients.Patients with significantly declining ACTH and CRH levels had higher CPC scores(P<0.05);however,no significant differences were found in other indicators(P>0.05).Conclusion:After post-CA ROSC,ischemia-reperfusion injury may cause brain damage and HPA axis damage and dysfunction,the severity of which is associated with CPC score.

Neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To summarize and synthesize current literature on neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:A database search for relevant literature was conducted using Pub Med,Scopus and Embase in February 2015.Date filters were applied from the year2009 and onward,and studies were limited to those written in the English language and those performed upon human subjects.The initial search yielded 797articles,out of which 38 were pulled for full text review and 27 were included for study analysis.Investigations were reviewed to determine study design,methodology and results,and data points were placed in tabular format to facilitate analysis of study findings across disparate investigations.RESULTS:Analysis of study data resulted in the abstraction of four key themes:Neurohormonal differences,anatomic measurements of brain structure and connectivity,differences in functional responsiveness of the brain during rectal distention,and confounding/correlating patient factors.Studies in this review noted alterations of glutamate in the left hippocampus(HIPP),commonalities across IBS subjects in terms of brain oscillation patterns,cortical thickness/gray matter volume differences,and neuroanatomical regions withincreased activation in patients with IBS:Anterio cingulate cortex,mid cingulate cortex,amygdala anterior insula,posterior insula and prefrontal cortex.A striking finding among interventions was the substantia influence that patient variables(e.g.,sex,psychologica and disease related factors)had upon the identification of neuroanatomical differences in structure and con nectivity.CONCLUSION:The field of neuroimaging can provide insight into underlying physiological differences that distinguish patients with IBS from a healthy population.

Gut-liver axis and probiotics: Their role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The incidence of obesity and its related conditions, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has dramatically increased in all age groups worldwide. Given the health consequences of these conditions, and the subsequent economic burden on healthcare systems, their prevention and treatment have become major priorities. Because standard dietary and lifestyle changes and pathogenically-oriented therapies (e.g., antioxidants, oral hypoglycemic agents, and lipid-lowering agents) often fail due to poor compliance and/or lack of efficacy, novel approaches directed toward other pathomechanisms are needed. Here we present several lines of evidence indicating that, by increasing energy extraction in some dysbiosis conditions or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, specific gut microbiota and/or a &#x0201c;low bacterial richness&#x0201d; may play a role in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver. Under conditions involving a damaged intestinal barrier (&#x0201c;leaky gut&#x0201d;), the gut-liver axis may enhance the natural interactions between intestinal bacteria/bacterial products and hepatic receptors (e.g., toll-like receptors), thus promoting the following cascade of events: oxidative stress, insulin-resistance, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis. We also discuss the possible modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics, as attempted in NAFLD animal model studies and in several pilot pediatric and adult human studies. Globally, this approach appears to be a promising and innovative add-on therapeutic tool for NAFLD in the context of multi-target therapy.

Gut bless you:The microbiota-gut-brain axis in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS)is a common clinical label for medically unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms,recently described as a disturbance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.Despite decades of research,the pathophysiology of this highly heterogeneous disorder remains elusive.However,a dramatic change in the understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms surfaced when the importance of gut microbiota protruded the scientific picture.Are we getting any closer to understanding IBS’etiology,or are we drowning in unspecific,conflicting data because we possess limited tools to unravel the cluster of secrets our gut microbiota is concealing?In this comprehensive review we are discussing some of the major important features of IBS and their interaction with gut microbiota,clinical microbiota-altering treatment such as the low FODMAP diet and fecal microbiota transplantation,neuroimaging and methods in microbiota analyses,and current and future challenges with big data analysis in IBS.

Clinical Treatment of Functional Pain Syndromes along the Microbiome-Gut-Brain-Axis: Combined Approach with Neuromodulation-Neurofeedback and Multispecies Probiotic

Functional pain syndromes are very common diseases that negatively impact the quality of life of patients with important socio-economic repercussions. The clinical alterations associated with these pathologies are multiple and have a complex psycho-organic character that moves along the micorobiome-gut-brain-axis. For the present study, 45 patients of both sexes (19 male, 26 female) aged 30 - 59 years were enrolled because of a diagnosis of Functional pain syndromes (FPS) that lasted for more than 6 months. All patients underwent pre-treatment clinical assessments (T0) for anxiety disorder, multidimensional assessment of pain, monitoring of baseline values of Alpha-Theta cerebral rhythm in occipital region and monitoring of salivary cortisol levels. All the patients underwent a clinical treatment combined with central neuromodulation with neurofeedback—Alpha Theta increase protocols (once a week for three months), administration of multispecies probiotic (one dose per day for 3 months) and clinical psychological interviews (once a week for three months). At the end of treatment (T1), patients were re-evaluated. Results show statistically relevant improvements of each feature considered: the Relief from Pain provided by the medication increases on average from 36.6% to 87.3%, the salivary Cortisol level at 11 pm decreases from 6.4 ng/ml to a physiological value of 1.2 ng/ml, and the anxiety rating score is reduced from 28 to 12. Moreover, the 23.9% increase in α-θ relative power shows the positive outcome of the brain autoregulation. This study highlights that the combined approach of Neurofeedback with drugs and multispecies probiotic results in great improvements in the patients’ life.

适宜运动与过度训练调控肠道功能和肠-脑轴的作用机制

对运动介导肠道与大脑联络的相关文献进行综述,分析适宜运动与过度训练对肠道功能和肠-脑轴之间神经传导及生物信号分子的影响,以揭示其作用机制。发现:肠道与大脑之间关系密切,肠-脑轴之间的双向神经联系和相关生物信号分子是实现肠道与大脑之间对话的媒介。运动可通过调控肠道与大脑之间的神经联系和相关生物分子影响肠-脑轴,介导肠道与大脑的健康及神经、精神疾病的转归。肠道微生物是实现肠-脑轴之间信息沟通的重要参与者,运动对肠道功能与肠-脑轴的调节可通过调控肠道微生态,及其介导的神经传导途径和生物信号分子的变化发挥终端效应,进而影响高级神经功能。不同强度的运动对肠道微生态及肠-脑轴的调节效应差异颇大,适宜运动和过度训练引起的干预结果截然不同。

基于下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴探讨电针对功能性消化不良大鼠的作用机制

目的探讨电针印堂、内关、足三里对FD大鼠下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的可能作用机制。方法40只SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组和电针组。采用夹尾、不规律饮食以及冰生理盐水灌胃法复制FD模型。造模后,电针组行针刺干预,每天1次,每次30 min,连续14天。记录大鼠的一般状态;旷场实验检测大鼠的自主行为及紧张度;HE染色法观察大鼠胃黏膜形态及炎症反应;实时荧光定量PCR法检测大鼠下丘脑5-羟色胺3受体(5-HT3R)、促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH)的表达;蛋白免疫印迹法检测大鼠十二指肠促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素受体2(CRHR2)、NOD样受体蛋白6(NLRP6)蛋白表达;阿利新蓝染色观察大鼠十二指肠黏膜上皮形态及杯状细胞的阳性表达。结果与空白组相比,模型组大鼠一般状态、旷场自主运动距离、运动速度、十二指肠CRHR2、NLRP6蛋白均大幅下降(P<0.05),下丘脑5-HT3R、CRH mRNA明显升高(P<0.05)。与模型组相比,电针组大鼠一般状态、旷场自主运动距离、运动速度、十二指肠CRHR2、NLRP6蛋白及杯状细胞的表达均明显提高(P<0.05),下丘脑5-HT3R、CRH mRNA大幅下降(P<0.05)。模型组大鼠胃黏膜可见疏松的结缔组织,黏膜下层轻度水肿,淋巴细胞增生;空白组和电针组大鼠胃黏膜结缔组织排列紧密,胃腺间质无明显增生,未见炎症细胞。结论电针印堂、内关、足三里可能是通过提升十二指肠CRHR2、NLRP6蛋白和杯状细胞表达,抑制下丘脑5-HT3R、CRH的表达,来提高FD大鼠自主运动水平,缓解焦虑,修复缺损的肠道黏膜屏障,恢复下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴的正常功能。

从络病探析功能性肛门直肠痛

络病广泛存在于各类外感重症及内伤疑难杂病之中,功能性肛门直肠痛作为肛肠科非器质性难治性疾病,往往缠绵难愈,给患者的身心健康以及日常生活带来极大困扰,其契合络病“久病入络”的病程演变规律。现代医学认为其主要与肠-脑互动异常、盆腔神经肌肉功能紊乱、精神心理等因素相关。本文重点阐述从络病论治功能性肛门直肠痛的理论,认为本病的病位在肠络,络中气血升降失常,清阳浊阴交争导致络脉绌急是本病发生的关键。对于功能性肛门直肠痛的治疗策略应当以复通络脉中气血升降有序为着眼点,病在局部而治在整体,采用补虚以荣络、辛温以通络、祛瘀以通络、藤虫以搜络等法,充分展现中医辨证论治以及络病学说的特色,以期对临床诊疗提供进一步导向。

运脾柔肝方治疗便秘型肠易激综合征疗效观察及基于rs-fMRI脑区活动水平变化的研究

目的:观察运脾柔肝方治疗肝郁气滞型便秘型肠易激综合征(IBS-C)的临床疗效,运用静息态功能性磁共振(rs-fMRI)观察IBS-C患者的脑区活动水平变化。方法:选取我院门诊43例IBS-C患者,评价运脾柔肝方的临床疗效。选取20例健康受试者,观察IBS-C患者及健康受试者脑区活动水平差异。进行焦虑、抑郁评估,观察伴与不伴焦虑抑郁状态的患者脑区活动水平的差异。观察IBS-C患者治疗前后脑区活动水平差异。结果:治疗组与对照组治疗均有效(P>0.05)。治疗组患者经治疗后SAS和SDS评分均降低(P<0.05)。对照组患者经治疗后SAS评分降低(P<0.05)。静息状态下,IBS-C组患者左舌回的脑区活动水平升高,左额下回、右额中回的脑区活动水平降低(P<0.05)。伴焦虑抑郁情绪的IBS-C患者右额下回的脑区活动水平较不伴有焦虑抑郁情绪的患者升高(P<0.05)。治疗后IBS-C患者左顶叶中央后回、左侧距状裂周围皮层的脑区活动水平降低,小脑的脑区活动水平升高(P<0.05)。结论:运脾柔肝方可有效缓解IBS-C患者的临床症状,改善焦虑、抑郁情绪。在静息状态下,IBS-C患者大脑的特定区域活动异常,说明大脑的某些特定区域和相应网络的自发神经元活动的变化可能与IBS-C的病理生理密切相关。

脑组织GDF-15水平与脑梗死大鼠血管新生以及Th1/Th2免疫平衡轴的关系

目的:探讨脑组织GDF-15水平与脑梗死大鼠血管新生以及Th1/Th2免疫平衡轴的关系。方法:45只雄性SD大鼠随机分为脑梗死模型组、假手术组以及正常对照组,15只/组。模型组采用线栓法建立脑梗死模型,假手术组仅暴露颈内动脉后直接缝合皮肤,建模成功后1周评估大鼠改良神经功能缺损(mNSS)评分。采用HE染色检测脑组织病理学变化情况,Western blot法检测大鼠脑组织中组织生长分化因子-15(GDF-15)蛋白水平,RTPCR测定脑组织中GDF-15 mRNA水平。采用ELISA法检测脑组织INF-γ、IL-4表达情况,采用Spearman相关性分析大鼠脑组织中GDF-15蛋白、mRNA表达水平分别与mNSS评分、微血管密度(MVD)、INF-γ/IL-4水平之间的相关性。结果:模型组大鼠mNSS评分明显高于假手术组和正常对照组(P<0.001),模型组脑梗死面积比为(24.45±4.15)%,假手术组和正常对照组未发现脑梗死区域。模型组大鼠脑组织GDF-15蛋白、mRNA、MVD、INF-γ/IL-4水平均明显高于假手术组和正常对照组(P<0.05)。Spearman相关性分析显示,模型组大鼠脑组织中GDF-15蛋白、mRNA表达水平分别与mNSS评分、MVD、INF-γ/IL-4水平呈正相关关系(P<0.001)。结论:脑梗死大鼠脑组织中GDF-15处于高表达状态,且与神经功能密切关联,其作用机制可能与血管新生以及调控Th1/Th2免疫平衡轴有关。

基于脑-肠-菌轴探讨天枢穴治疗功能性便秘作用机制

功能性便秘(functional constipation,FC)是常见的一种胃肠功能紊乱疾病,该病发病机制复杂,脑-肠-菌轴(BGMA)在其病理生理中的作用逐渐受到关注,脑-肠与肠道菌群交互障碍可通过神经、内分泌、免疫和代谢等途径影响胃肠道运动、感觉、分泌等功能,进而引起排便异常。天枢穴具有疏调肠腑、理气行滞、健脾和胃、调神的功效,为针灸临床治疗FC的要穴。现代研究表明,针灸天枢穴对该病的影响机制可能与调节BGMA有关,包括促进中枢神经系统、肠神经系统结构与功能的正常化,改善肠道微生态失调,调节脑肠肽的分泌以及抑制促肾上腺皮质激素释放因子的过度表达等。该文从BGMA角度探究脑-肠轴、肠道菌群与FC的发病关系,总结探讨天枢穴治疗FC的内在机制,以期为针灸治疗功能性胃肠疾病提供理论依据和临床应用指导。