scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Inhibits Autophagy of Glial Cells in Postherpetic Neuralgia by Increasing the Expression of miR-223-3p

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Jing Zou ◽  
Xueyang Dong ◽  
Ke Wang ◽  
Jing Shi ◽  
Ning Sun

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a complication of herpes zoster viral infection. Its main manifestations are continuous or intermittent burning-like and electroshock-like pain in the affected nerves. Electroacupuncture (EA) is widely used in clinical treatment and exerts effects in alleviating neuropathic pain. In this study, we investigated the effect and underlying mechanism of EA on PHN. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with resiniferatoxin (RTX) to establish a PHN model and subjected to EA and/or miR-223-3p overexpression (OV) or interference. Mechanical withdrawal latency was measured as an indication of pain sensitivity. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe glial cell morphology and autophagic vacuoles, respectively. ELISA was performed to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the levels of tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin- (IL-) 6, and IL-10. Changes in autophagy and apoptosis-related miRNAs were detected by immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR, respectively. In RTX-treated rats, OV and EA reduced pain sensitivity, decreased the number of eosinophils, and increased that of nerve cells. ROS generation and the levels of TNF-α and iNOS were significantly reduced, while those of IL-6 and IL-10 were increased. OV and EA induced fewer autophagic vacuoles than those in the model group. The expression of autophagy-related protein microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3-II, ATG9, and Rab1 was decreased by OV and EA, whereas that of P62 was increased. qRT-PCR revealed that miR-223-3p expression in the model group decreased but was increased by EA. EA inhibits glial cell autophagy in PHN by increasing miR-223-3p expression.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 2287-2292
Author(s):  
Zhenping Xiao ◽  
Mengjun Liao ◽  
Yunwu He ◽  
Yonglin Li ◽  
Wuzhou Yang ◽  
...  

Purpose: To determine the mechanism involved in pregabalin-induced alleviation of postherpetic neuralgia in a rat model.Methods: Ninety-sixty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to sham, model andpregabalin groups (32 rats per group). A model of postherpetic neuralgia (PN) was established. The expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord tissue were determined 7 days after administration of treatments. The proportions of fluorescence areas in astrocytes in the dorsal horn, prefrontal lobe and hippocampus, and level of spinal cord TRPV1 channel protein in each group were evaluated.Results: Relative to model rats, IL-1β and TNF-α in spinal cord of pregabalin rats were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The areas of fluorescence in astrocytes in dorsal horn of spinal cord, prefrontal lobe and hippocampus of model group were significantly increased, relative to sham, but were decreased in rats in pregabalin group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Pregabalin significantly alleviates postherpetic neuralgia via mechanisms which may be related to the inflammatory response of spinal dorsal horn and downregulation of TRPV1 channel protein expression. This finding may be useful in developing new drugs for alleviating postherpetic neuralgia.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
Xuedong Zhang

Abstract Background:Cyclosporine-A has been regarded as an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of various immune inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of Cyclosporine-A on the retina of type 2 diabetic rats and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of Cyclosporine-A on diabetic retinopathy. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were established to type 2 diabetic model.After 6 weeks, diabetic rats and normal controls were intravitreally injected with Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL) to the left eye, and 2μL DMSO to the right eye for the control. Another part of normal wild-type rats was subjected to intravitreal injections into the left eyes with 5 μL PBS or HMGB-1 (5 ng/5 μL) or HMGB-1(5 ng/5 μL) plus Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL), respectively. Retinal morphological changes were observed with hematoxylin–eosin staining. Expressions of HMGB-1, IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by immunohistochemistry, ELISA or western blot. Results:Retinal expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were upregulated in type 2 diabetic rats and in normal rats with intravitreal injection of HMGB-1, which were attenuated by intravitreal Cs-A. Moreover, Cs-A decreased HMGB-1 expression in diabetic retina and relieved the retinopathy in type 2 diabetic rats. Conclusions:Intravitreal administration of Cs-A showed a protective effect on retina of diabetic rats, possibly by downregulating retinal expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α via the suppression of HMGB-1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Xu ◽  
Tian-Yong Hu ◽  
Dong-Cai Li ◽  
Li Ma ◽  
Hua Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Yan Hou Qing (YHQ) is a Chinese medicinal formula designed to alleviate sore throat symptoms, but underlying mechanism of YHQ treatment for pharyngitis is poorly defined up to now. Methods In this study, the modulation of YHQ on pharyngitis is investigated in ammonia-induced acute pharyngitis rat models. After treatment with YHQ or dexamethasone respectively for five consecutive days, all rats were sacrificed for biomolecular and histopathologic study. Protein expressions of MAPKs, NF-κB, COX-2 and 5-LOX in pharyngitis tissue were evaluated by western blot analysis and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, prostaglandin (PG) E2, leukotrienes (LT)-B4 and LT-D4 in pharyngeal tissue were measured via ELISA assay. Evans blue (EB) dye exudation test was performed parallelly to assess the integrity of pharyngeal tissue. Results Compared with normal control group, EB dye exudation, and inflammatory cytokines in the model group were significantly increased, and the pharynx tissue was obviously infiltrated by inflammatory cells. YHQ treatment improved the inflammatory infiltrate in pharyngeal tissue, and reduced EB dye exudation in AP rat models. The up-regulated TNF-α and IL-6 in pharyngeal tissue of AP were significantly reduced by YHQ through inhibition of phosphorylation of p38, Erk and NF-κB. YHQ treatment also reversed the increased level of PGE2 through down-regulation of COX-2. Conclusions YHQ formula attenuated the pharyngitis related symptoms via suppression of COX-2 and phosphorylation of p38, Erk and NF-κB (p65).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
Xuedong Zhang

Abstract Background:Cyclosporine-A has been regarded as an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of various immune inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of Cyclosporine-A on the retina of type 2 diabetic rats and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of Cyclosporine-A on diabetic retinopathy. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were established to type 2 diabetic model.After 6 weeks, diabetic rats and normal controls were intravitreally injected with Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL) to the left eye, and 2μL DMSO to the right eye for the control. Another part of normal wild-type rats was subjected to intravitreal injections into the left eyes with 5 μL PBS or HMGB-1 (5 ng/5 μL) or HMGB-1(5 ng/5 μL) plus Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL), respectively. Retinal morphological changes were observed with hematoxylin–eosin staining. Expressions of HMGB-1, IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by immunohistochemistry, ELISA or western blot. Results:Retinal expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were upregulated in type 2 diabetic rats and in normal rats with intravitreal injection of HMGB-1, which were attenuated by intravitreal Cs-A. Moreover, Cs-A decreased HMGB-1 expression in diabetic retina and relieved the retinopathy in type 2 diabetic rats. Conclusions:Intravitreal administration of Cs-A showed a protective effect on retina of diabetic rats, possibly by downregulating retinal expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α via the suppression of HMGB-1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 565-569
Author(s):  
Zhihong Zhao ◽  
Xuejing Wang ◽  
Xiumin Li ◽  
Hongshuang Li ◽  
Bin Xu

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of astragalus injection against myocardial injury in septic young rats, and the underlying mechanism of action. Methods: Seventy-two healthy Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly selected and used to establish a young rat model of sepsis. The young rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham, model and astragalus injection groups. Each group had 24 young rats. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI), IL-10, IL-6, JAK2 and STAT3 were measured after op. Results: Compared with sham group, serum cTnI level in the model group was significantly higher, while serum cTnI level of the drug group was significantly lower than that of the model group (p < 0.05). Compared with model group, the level of IL-10 in the myocardial tissue of the drug group was significantly elevated, while IL-6 level was lower (p < 0.05). Relative to sham rats, myocardial JAK2 and STAT3 protein levels in model rats were high. However, myocardial JAK2 and STAT3 proteins in the drug-treated rats were significantly downregulated, relative to model rats (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Astragalus injection upregulates IL-10 and IL-6 in rats by inhibiting the activation of JAK/STAT signal pathway, and via maintenance of pro-inflammation/anti-inflammation balance. Thus, astragalus exerts protective effect against myocardial injury in sepsis, and can potentially be developed for use as such in clinical practice. Keywords: Astragalus injection, JAK/STAT signal pathway, Pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory imbalance, Sepsis, Myocardial injury


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 2559-2563
Author(s):  
Hongcheng Zang ◽  
Gang Shao

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine in a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI), and the underlying mechanism. Methods: Acute lung injury (ALI) was induced in adult male Sprague Dawley rats (n = 27) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Three rat groups were used (9 rats/group): untreated control, LPS and treatment groups. Pathological lesions in rat pulmonary tissues were assessed and inflammatory scores determined. The levels TNF-α and IL-6 in BALF were determined using their respective enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits, while protein levels of p-IκB and NF-κB p65 were assessed by Western blotting. Results: Lung tissue damage was markedly mitigated in treatment mice, relative to LPS mice (p < 0.05). Inflammatory scores and population of neutrophils and macrophages increased significantly in LPS mice, relative to control, but decreased by dexmedetomidine exposure (p < 0.05). Similarly, TNF-α and IL-6 levels in pulmonary tissue homogenates of LPS rats were increased, relative to control rats, but were downregulated by dexmedetomidine exposure (p < 0.05). Moreover, dexmedetomidine downregulated the expressions of p-IκB and NF-κB p65 in pulmonary tissues (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine mitigates LPS-induced ALI in rats by blocking the activation of NF-κB and IκB, coupled with inhibition of the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6. Keywords: Acute lung injury, Dexmedetomidine, Inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB pathway, Sepsis


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Fei Chen ◽  
Xuedong Zhang

Abstract Background:Cyclosporine-A has been regarded as an immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of various immune inflammatory diseases. However, the effect of Cyclosporine-A on the retina of type 2 diabetic rats and the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of Cyclosporine-A on diabetic retinopathy. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were established to type 2 diabetic model.After 6 weeks, diabetic rats and normal controls were intravitreally injected with Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL) to the left eye, and 2μL DMSO to the right eye for the control. Another part of normal wild-type rats was subjected to intravitreal injections into the left eyes with 5 μL PBS or HMGB-1 (5 ng/5 μL) or HMGB-1(5 ng/5 μL) plus Cs-A (42 ng/2 μL), respectively. Retinal morphological changes were observed with hematoxylin–eosin staining. Expressions of HMGB-1, IL-1β and TNF-α were detected by immunohistochemistry, ELISA or western blot. Results:Retinal expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were upregulated in type 2 diabetic rats and in normal rats with intravitreal injection of HMGB-1, which were attenuated by intravitreal Cs-A. Moreover, Cs-A decreased HMGB-1 expression in diabetic retina and relieved the retinopathy in type 2 diabetic rats. Conclusions:Intravitreal administration of Cs-A showed a protective effect on retina of diabetic rats, possibly by downregulating retinal expressions of IL-1β and TNF-α via the suppression of HMGB-1.


2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (06) ◽  
pp. 1241-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sae-Kang Ku ◽  
Jae-Soo Kim ◽  
Young-Bae Seo ◽  
Yong-Ung Kim ◽  
Seung-Lark Hwang ◽  
...  

This study was performed to investigate effects of Curculigo orchioides rhizome (curculiginis rhizome) on acute reflux esophigitis (RE) in rats that are induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Proinflammatory cytokine, as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 were all assayed and the expression of TNF-α and COX2 analyzed by RT-PCR. The esophagic tissue damage of reflux esophagitis rat was increased compared to that of normal intact group. However, the esophagic damage percentage from the extract of curculiginis rhizoma (ECR) 600 mg/kg and ECR 300 mg/kg were significantly lower than that of the RE control group. Administration of α-tocopherol (30 mg/kg) and ECR (600 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg) had a significant effect on the gastric acid pH in rats with induced reflux esophagitis (p < 0.05). The treatment with ECR significantly reduced the production of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels compared to the model group (p < 0.05). The expression of TNF-α and COX2 in the intact esophageal mucosa was low while those of the RE control group were significantly higher due to an inflammatory reaction in the esophagus. Compare to the model group, treatment with α-tocopherol or ECR significantly inhibited the expression levels of COX2 and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory and protective effects of ECR could attenuate the severity of reflux esophagitis and prevent esophageal mucosal damage.


Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Kewei Xu ◽  
Hao Ding ◽  
Qiaozhen Xi

Abstract Aims Increasing preclinical and clinical reports have demonstrated the efficacy of gabapentin (GBP) in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, the mechanism of the effects of GBP in AUD is largely unknown. Herein, we sought to investigate the effect of GBP in a rat model of AUD and explore the underlying mechanism. Methods The intermittent access to 20% ethanol in a 2-bottle choice (IA2BC) procedure was exploited to induce high voluntary ethanol consumption in rats. The rats were treated daily for 20 days with different doses of GBP, simultaneously recording ethanol/water intake. The locomotor activity and grooming behavior of rats were also tested to evaluate the potential effects of GBP on confounding motor in rats. The levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in serum and hippocampus homogenate from the rats were detected by using ELISA. The expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated-receptor γ (PPAR-γ) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the hippocampus were determined by immunofluorescence and western blot. Results GBP reduced alcohol consumption, whereas increased water consumption and locomotor activity of rats. GBP was also able to decrease the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in both serum and hippocampus, in addition to the expression of NF-κB in the hippocampus. Furthermore, these effects attributed to GBP were observed to disappear in the presence of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), a specific inhibitor of PPAR-γ. Conclusions Our findings revealed that GBP could activate PPAR-γ to suppress the NF-κB signaling pathway, contributing to the decrease of ethanol consumption and ethanol-induced neuroimmune responses.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 1272-1275
Author(s):  
Angu Bala Ganesh K S V ◽  
Sujeet Shekhar Sinha ◽  
Kesavi Durairaj ◽  
Abdul Sahabudeen K

Naphthalene is a bicyclic aromatic constituent commonly used in different domestic and marketable applications comprising soil fumigants, lavatory scent disks and mothballs. Accidentally, workers, children and animals are exposed to naphthalene mothballs, so there is a need to study the pathology behind this chemical toxicity. The current study was carried out to assess the ultra structural changes of basolateral amygdaloid nuclei in the Sprague Dawley rats brain in association to naphthalene toxicity. The toxicity model group was administered with naphthalene (200 and 400mg) using corn oil as a vehicle for 28 days. The post delayed toxicity of naphthalene high dose ingestion was also assessed in rats. After the experimental period, the brain tissue was processed to observe the ultra structural changes using a transmission electron microscope. The alterations in cell organelles, nuclei damage, mitochondrial swelling, chromatin condensation suggested naphthalene induced damage in the neurons of the basolateral amygdala of the brain in the toxicity model group. These experimental trials provide information about the alert of mothball usage in the home and identify risks linked with accidental exposure and misuse.


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