Hewei Jiangni granule alleviates visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model of non-erosive reflux disease via transient receptor potential channel signaling

Objective:To uncover the underlying mechanism of Hewei Jiangni granule(HWJNG)on non-erosive reflux disease(NERD)treatment by examining histological changes,gastrointestinal neurochemicals release and visceral hypersensitivity-related receptor expression in NERD model rats.Methods:A NERD rat model was established via a combination of basal sensitization and acid perfusion.HWJNG treatments at different doses were then administered.Pathological changes to tissues,mast cell(MC)activation,serum levels of esophageal visceral hypersensitivity-related neurochemicals,and transient receptor potential(TRP)receptor mRNA and protein levels were investigated.Results:Compared with the control group,the expression of tryptase in MCs,the changes of intercellular space,and the serum levels of substance P(SP),calcitonin gene-related peptides(CGRP)and proteinaseactivated receptor 2(PAR2)increased in the model group(all P<.05).The expression of TRP vanilloid 1(Trpv1)mRNA decreased in esophagus and dorsal root ganglia(DRG)of the model group(P=.030&P=.013),and the expression of TRP melastatin channel subfamily member 8(Trpm8)mRNA decreased in the esophagus of model group(P<.01).The level of esophageal TRPV1 protein increased in the model group(P<.01)and the level of TRPM8 protein decreased in esophagus and DRG of the model group(both P<.05).Compared with the model group,the serum levels of SP,CGRP,and PAR2 in the mediumdose HWJNG group showed significant decreases(all P<.05).The expression of Trpv1 mRNA in esophagus and DRG of the HWJNG groups and the Omeprazole group remarkably decreased(all P<.05),as was the expression of Trpm8 mRNA in esophagus of the HWJNG groups(all P<.05).Conclusion:HWJNG alleviated visceral hypersensitivity in NERD model rats by regulating TRP-mediated signaling.Our results indicate that HWJNG has potential as a therapeutic agent for NERD.

Neurochemical metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex in bipolar disorder A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

The aim of this study was to investigate proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy metabolite values in the medial prefrontal cortex of individuals with euthymic bipolar disorder. The subjects consisted of 15 patients with euthymic bipolar disorder type I and 15 healthy controls. We performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the bilateral medial prefrontal cortex and measured levels of N-acetyl aspartate, choline and creatine. Levels of these three metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex were found to be lower in patients with bipolar disorder compared with healthy controls. A positive correlation was found between illness duration and choline levels in the right medial prefrontal cortex. Our study suggests that during the euthymic period, there are abnormalities in cellular energy and membrane phospholipid metabolism in the medial prefrontal cortex, and that this may impair neuronal activity and integrity.

Neurochemical plasticity of Müller cells after retinal injury: overexpression of GAT-3 may potentiate excitotoxicity

The retina is a multilayered tissue that develops following a central-to-peripheral gradient. Its structure derives from multipotent precursors, as shown through clonal analysis of retinal cell lineage. These progenitors generate diverse cell types, controlled by complex influences of intrinsic and extrinsic factors （Hatakevama and Kagevama, 2004）.

Centocor公司获得Fibrillex

加拿大的Neurochem公司已将Fibrillex(1，3-propanedisulfonate，1，3-丙二磺酸盐)(Ⅰ)的上市销售许可权转让给Centocor公司，后者是J&J公司的全股子公司。(Ⅰ)已完成治疗淀粉样蛋白A淀粉样变性(通常由类风湿性关节炎引起)的Ⅱ／Ⅲ期试验，预计今年递交批准申请。

Implantable optical fiber microelectrode with anti-biofouling ability for in vivo photoelectrochemical analysis

In-situ monitoring of neurochemicals is of vital importance for the understanding of brain functions.Microelectrode-based photoelectrochemical(PEC) sensing has emerged as a promising tool for in vivo analysis since it inherits the merits of both optical and electrochemical methods. However, the in-situ excitation of photoactive materials on the photoelectrode in living body is still a challenge because of limited tissue penetration depth of light. To circumvent this problem, we herein developed an implantable optical fiber(OF)-based microelectrode for in vivo PEC analysis. The working electrode was constructed by coating Au film as conducting layer and CdS@ZnO as photoactive material on a micron-sized OF,which was free of the limitation of light penetration in biological tissues. Further decoration of an antibiofouling layer on the surface made the sensor robust in biosamples. It was successfully applied for monitoring Cu^(2+) level in three different brain regions in the rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Recent advances in development of devices and probes for sensing and imaging in the brain

As the most important part of the central nervous system,the brain is extremely complex in structure and function.In vivo analysis of chemical signals is an essential way to investigate brain activity and function.Although functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)or electrophysiology can be used to record brain activity,they are usually limited by low spatiotemporal fidelity or the difficulty of distinguishing the contributions of various neurochemicals.In addition,the development of in vivo biosensors with high selectivity and accuracy is essential to understand the roles that neurochemicals play in the brain.In this review,we focus on the development of instruments and devices for recording chemical signals in the live brain.Meanwhile,the strategies for development of electrochemical and fluorescent probes with high selectivity,high accuracy and good stability are also summarized.In particular,this review highlighted the contributions of our research group to this field.The development of techniques and probes enable us to understand the brain structure and function,and the mechanism of brain diseases,providing the solution for preventing and treating brain diseases.

Serotonin Signaling Modulates Sexual Receptivity of Virgin Female Drosophila

The choice of females to accept or reject male courtship is a critical decision for animal reproduction.Serotonin(5-hydroxytryptamine;5-HT)has been found to regulate sexual behavior in many species,but it is unclear how 5-HT and its receptors function to regulate different aspects of sexual behavior.Here we used Drosophila melanogaster as the model animal to investigate how 5-HT and its receptors modulate female sexual receptivity.We found that knockout of tryptophan hydroxylase(Trh),which is involved in the biosynthesis of 5-HT,severely reduced virgin female receptivity without affecting post-mating behaviors.We identified a subset of sexually dimorphic Trh neurons that co-expressed fruitless(fru),in which the activity was correlated with sexual receptivity in females.We also found that 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptors regulate virgin female receptivity.Our findings demonstrate how 5-HT functions in sexually dimorphic neurons to promote virgin female receptivity through two of its receptors.