Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative最新文献

Neuropathic pain (NP), a debilitating and chronic condition often accompanied by comorbid depression, presents significant therapeutic challenges. While conventional pharmacological treatments, though valuable, usually fall short in addressing their multifaceted nature, the pursuit of innovative solutions has led to the exploration of ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew originating from Amazonian plants, as a promising candidate. Recent investigations have unveiled its therapeutic potential in psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, characterized by notable alterations in mood-regulatory brain networks. In this narrative review, we explore ayahuasca's potential role in modulating neuropathic pain. Through the analysis of preclinical studies and functional MRI analyses, we aim to elucidate its influence on the affective-motivational component of pain perception and the complex immune modulation intrinsic to the pathophysiology of NP. Ayahuasca demonstrates the capacity to reduce activity within regions of the default mode network, closely linked with depression, thereby presenting a novel approach to addressing the interwoven complexities of chronic pain and mood disturbances. Furthermore, its potential to activate serotonin and sigma-1 receptors and modulate the immune/inflammatory response, including glial cells and the midbrain periaqueductal gray, a pivotal brain structure in the propagation and modulation of pain, provides valuable insights into its analgesic mechanisms. Despite these promising insights, we emphasize the imperative of rigorous research to establish the efficacy and safety, mechanisms of action, and long-term effects of ayahuasca therapy in the context of NP.

Postpartum Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PP-PTSD) is a psychological stress disorder that occurs as a result of traumatic childbirth experiences, posing significant risks to the physical and mental well-being of mothers. Although a variety of factors at different stages of the prenatal, traumatic or postnatal may lead to the development of PP-PTSD, the molecular mechanisms are still unclear. Previous studies suggest that immunity and inflammation may play an important role in its mechanism, but there is still a lack of sufficient evidence. As a result, treatment options are very limited. This review aims to provide an overview of recent research advancements in the identification, development, immune / Inflammation, and treatment approaches for PP-PTSD. Overall, PP-PTSD is influenced by multiple factors and has substantial detrimental effects; however, current treatment strategies remain incomplete. Therefore, further research efforts are warranted to ensure timely and effective interventions for a larger number of patients.

Background

Shankhapushpi is an important Ayurvedic drug used for treating various disease conditions of nervous system. Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. is the genuine source plant for Shankhapushpi as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; however Clitorea ternatea L. is widely used as Shankhapushpi in southern part of India. In this study, comparative phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation has been done in two plants such as Convolvulus prostratus and Clitorea ternatea used as Shankhapushpi.

Methods

Phytochemical comparison was done by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Detailed metabolite profiling was performed using Q-TOF-LC/MS-MS analysis. Antiamnesic activity of selected plants has been evaluated against scopolamine induced amnesia model in Wistar rats.

Results

Phytochemical studies showed that only a few chemical constituents are common for both species. Most of the phytochemicals are different for selected species. LC/MS analysis showed presence of genipin and 7-hydroxyflavone in both species. Pharmacological study showed that both plants possess antiamnesic activity against Scopolamine induced memory loss; However C. ternatea possesses significant antiamnesic activity than that of C. prostratus.

Conclusion

The study provided valuable information about the selected species in terms of its phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties. The study also provided a scientific support for using both species as Shankhapushpi.

Assessing and monitoring the level of physical activity in people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) seems central as physical activity has been considered a main therapy for maintaining autonomy and improving quality of life in this population. One of the main strategies to evaluate objectively the level of physical activity of PwMS in an ecological context is the use of accelerometers. These on-board devices allow to easily convert physical measurement (acceleration) in a more intuitive outcome as the time doing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) by PwMS. The challenge in this conversion is the use of the appropriate cutoff as PwMS present different physical profiles. To overcome this problem, an interesting alternative should be the determination of personalized cutoffs. This study aimed to determine how much the measurement of the MVPA levels in PwMS differed when using a personalized and generic cutoff. The study was conducted on a group of 28 PwMS. An accelerometer was given to PwMS for use on their non-dominant hip for 14 days. They were instructed to wear it every day from waking up until bedtime. Data collected on the accelerometer were processed and time spending in MVPA was computed with a personalized and generic cutoff. Our findings revealed a difference of 78 % in measuring MVPA using a personalized and generic MVPA cutoff in PwMS. Given the crucial role of PA in managing multiple sclerosis, it seems important to better determine personalized MVPA cutoffs before the assessment of daily life performance of PwMS.

The human immune system exhibits fascinating diversity, sculpted by an intricate interplay of genetic and environmental influences. This study delves into these complexities by comparing the immunological landscapes of healthy individuals from distinct backgrounds: 40 Vietnamese and 24 German participants. Our comprehensive analysis, encompassing 42 lymphocyte populations and 17 cytokines, reveals profound differences in immune profiles between these two populations. Utilizing multicolor flow cytometry and advanced analytical platforms, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of the cellular and molecular components of individual immune systems. Statistical analyses revealed highly significant differences (p < 0.05) between Vietnamese and German cohorts in 33 out of 42 lymphocyte populations and 15 out of 17 cytokines. These disparities encompassed a wide range of immune cell subsets, including T, B and NK cells and involved both activating and inhibitory immune regulators. Healthy Vietnamese subjects exhibited significantly higher numbers of B, T and NK cells compared to their German counterparts. Vietnamese participants displayed higher proportions of plasma cells, immature B cells, and B cells with low CD21 expression (CD21low), which have a phenotypic characteristic of chronic stimulation. Of the 16 subpopulations of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subpopulations, 11 were significantly elevated in Vietnamese compared to German subjects. Additionally, Vietnamese participants expressed higher proportions of markers for functional and activating NK receptors, indicating the presence of highly cytotoxic NK cells in this population. Almost all of the 17 cytokines examined were significantly lower in Vietnamese subjects. These results demonstrate statistically significant variations in immunological profiles between healthy individuals from Eastern and Western populations. Our findings suggest that caution should be exercised when applying Western reference health profiles to Eastern subjects in clinical settings. This comprehensive analysis underscores the importance of considering population-specific immune profiles in clinical and research contexts, particularly when evaluating immunological parameters across diverse ethnic groups.

Maternal immune activation (MIA), a maternal stressor, increases risk for neuropsychiatric diseases, such as Major Depressive Disorder in offspring. MIA of toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) initiates an immune response in mother and fetuses in a sex-selective manner. The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), a brain region that is sexually dimorphic and regulates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) stress responses, have been tied to stress-related behaviors (i.e., depression, anxiety, social impairments). The current study characterized the sex-selective impact of mid-gestational TLR7 activation on PVN vasculature of adult offspring based on a prior study of excess prenatal glucocorticoid stress. The PVN of offspring were evaluated to determine if fetal MIA impacted vascular leakage in the brains of adult mice with or without restraint stress. Timed-pregnant female mice were administered the TLR7 agonist Resiquimod (RQ) or saline vehicle on embryonic day (E) 12.5. Basal and restraint stress-induced corticosterone was measured to examine changes in stress response. Mice were perfused transcardially with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to assess blood vessel integrity. Sections with FITC-labeled blood vessels through the PVN of offspring were immunolabeled for Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP; astrocytic end feet) and IBA-1 (microglia). MIA with RQ led to elevated levels of plasma corticosterone 60-minutes after restraint in offspring, suggesting prenatal RQ impairs glucocorticoid negative feedback. Blood-brain barrier integrity was assessed. Adult offspring of RQ injected dams showed greater leakage in the PVN (greater in males than females). GFAP+ colocalization with FITC-labeled vessels was lower in the PVN of offspring from RQ treated dams, potentially contributing to the observed increased FITC leakage. Microglia were examined in relation to the vasculature as an indicator of a neuroimmune response. Data show IBA-1+ cells greater in size and number in the PVN with closer proximity to blood vessels after maternal injection of RQ in a male-selective manner. Microglia were unchanged in females from RQ-treated dams but were smaller in size after restraint. This study provides support for sex-selective influences of fetal immune antecedents for altered brain vascular and blood brain barrier development and adult neuroendocrine function that could indicate a PVN locus for increased susceptibility for adult disorders.

This article examines the theoretico/conceptual foundations of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). A materialist/mechanist foundation appears to predominate in the field. We suggest that a complementarity framework might be a better lens for examining different neuro-immune and psychological connections, including psychological function and dysfunction as related to neurophysiological and immunological dynamics. Through this examination, it is hypothesized that PNI would best work with a complementarity foundation, as opposed to materialism, mechanism, or dualistic interactionism. At the very least, this examination gives us a deeper respect for showing the complexity of consciousness and health. An appropriate view of the mind-body relation should provide a sound theoretical framework for PNI research serving to bridge new dynamics between the neuro-immune and the psychological.

Insomnia, a common condition that significantly impacts health and daily life, is often treated with medications that can have adverse effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers non-drug therapies for insomnia, but their diverse methods and efficacy require systematic evaluation. This letter explores the integration of TCM and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance insomnia treatment. AI can personalize treatment plans, provide predictive analytics, monitor progress, and enhance research, potentially increasing the efficacy of TCM interventions. This combined approach promises more effective, personalized, and adaptive treatments for insomnia.

Introduction

IL-33 is an inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of Multiple sclerosis (MS) as an autoimmune inflammatory disease. Ozone therapy has been shown to improve the symptoms of the disease in previous studies. Given the limitations of previous studies, we investigated the effect of adding ozone therapy to conventional medical treatment in remitting-relapsing multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients from the points of disease severity and blood levels of IL-33.

Methods

This clinical trial was performed on 66 RR-MS patients, among whom 55 finished the study. The patients were divided randomly into two groups; one group (intervention) received ozone therapy in addition to the routine medical treatment, and the other group (control) received only routine medical treatment. The level of IL-33 was measured by ELISA, and the severity of the disease was measured by an expanded disability status scale (EDSS) in all patients before and after the treatment. Finally, the relationship between the serum levels of IL-33 and EDSS score with the type of treatment was evaluated. The research project was registered at the International Center for the Registration of Clinical Trials in Iran (IRCT20171105037262N3).

Results

Our findings showed that the serum levels of IL-33 in the ozone plus medical-treated group significantly decreased compared to the medical-treated group (P<0.001). The EDSS score also decreased significantly in the ozone plus medical-treated group compared to the medical-treated group (P=0.019).

Conclusion

Ozone therapy reduces the severity of RR-MS. Such an effect may be influenced by modifying IL-33 levels.