Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative最新文献

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the gut-brain axis, characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. A 38-year-old male patient with a sedentary lifestyle, diagnosed with IBS based on Rome IV criteria, was underwent Yoga and Naturopathy interventions for one month in our outpatient department. The result showed a reduced Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Score (IBS-SSS) (315 to 109) and perceived stress (PSS) score (29 to 12) level. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis showed increased SDNN (35.4 to 48.3 ms) and RMSSD (41.3 to 58.3 ms) values, indicative of improved HRV. Notably, parasympathetic dominance was observed, evidenced by increased pNN50% (14.56 to 18.41) and H.F (41.92 to 59.63 n.u) values, while the LF/HF ratio (1.381 to 0.675) decreased. This case report suggests that lifestyle change through Yoga and Naturopathic intervention is useful in the management of IBS with psychological co-morbidities .

According to Kelley et al. (2023), BBI Integrative ‘recognises the historical importance of Eastern health practices in the entire field of PNI’ (psychoneuroimmunology). We applaud this editorial innovation and believe that it is an important step in advancing the ability to provide healing to human beings.This article aims to illustrate suggestions for scientific research and integrative care derived from studying the ancient Chinese medicine and philosophy using pathophysiological and clinical examples. It shows how some fundamental categories of ancient Chinese philosophies, such as the yin–yang theory, and healing models, such as yang sheng (nurturing life), can help us understand how the immune system works and where the foundations of health are rooted. It also examines some examples of the yin–yang dialectic in immunology, such as T helper 1 (Th1) circuit control by the same cells that initially produce cytokines (IL-12 and IFN-γ) to activate this circuit and then produce Th2 circuit cytokines (IL-4) to moderate it. In addition, the transformation of regulatory T-cells into inflammatory T-cells (Th17) and the IL-6 dual pro- or anti-inflammatory face, depends on the context. In the first example, yin is present in yang. In the second, the yang is in the yin. Finally, we present an example of the cytokine yin–yang. This article also shows the surprising concordances of ancient Chinese chronobiology with the modern science of circadian rhythms and the unknown connections between organs, such as between the lungs and gut, which has drawn the attention of modern scientific research only recently. Finally, this article highlights the peculiar approach of ancient Chinese medicine to prevention and treatment, called yang sheng, which shows strong concordance with the model proposed by Psychoneuroendocrineimmunology.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a prevalent neuropsychiatric condition that affects approximately one-third of stroke survivors, leading to impaired rehabilitation and reduced quality of life. Despite its significant impact, the precise mechanisms underlying PSD remain incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that inflammation may play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis. Notably, recent studies have highlighted the involvement of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) in PSD. Elevated levels of IL-18 following stroke have been observed, indicating its potential contribution to the propagation of inflammation, disruption of neurotransmitter balance, and neuronal damage. IL-18 may also serve as a valuable biomarker for predicting the risk of PSD. Moreover, dysregulation of IL-18 signaling has emerged as a critical factor in the development of PSD. Therefore, modulating IL-18 expression holds promise as a strategy to prevent the progression of PSD. This review provided a comprehensive summary of the current evidence elucidating the diverse immunological and pathological mechanisms of IL-18 in PSD. We also assessed therapeutic strategies that target IL-18 signaling for the management and treatment of PSD. By elucidating the multifaceted role of IL-18 in PSD, this review provides insights into potential therapeutic avenues for improving the outcomes and well-being of individuals affected by PSD.

Autoimmune disease is an immune response that damages the body’s tissues, thereby disrupting the body’s physiological functions. Myasthenia gravis represents one such condition characterized by muscle weakness due to impaired neuromuscular transmission. While it can affect anyone, it tends to be more prevalent among women aged 20–30 and men over 50. This disease, deemed a genetic disorder, typically emerges in old age when antibodies target receptors in the muscles. In this study, we sought to identify the genes that can affect myasthenia gravis by leveraging several databases, including the GWAS Catalog, HaploReg, GTEx portal, and Ensembl. Specifically, our focus was on exploring genomic variants and the expression of the LTA and CTLA4 genes. Our findings reveal that two variants (rs2071591 and rs231770) impact LTA expression in both muscle and brain tissue, while affecting CTLA4 expression in testicular cell tissue. Subsequently, we assessed the allele frequency of these variants across regional populations, namely African, American, East Asian, European, and Southeast Asian. This study demonstrates that the LTA and CTLA4 genes have a higher frequency in African, East Asian, and European populations compared to American and Southeast Asian populations. Consequently, our finding suggests that the latter two populations might have relatively higher susceptibility to the autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis. Therefore, variations in these genes not only offer insights into disease susceptibility, diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers, but also open up avenues for identifying candidate drug targets through genomic-driven drug repurposing.

Background

Asiaticoside is a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin constituent of the medicinal herb Centella asiatica, known for its neuroprotective, anticancer and other biological effects. The present study aims to develop and characterise asiaticoside encapsulated alginate chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs) and evaluate their antiproliferative potential on C6 glioma cells.

Methods

ACNPs were prepared by the ionic gelation polyelectrolyte complexation technique and characterised by dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect of ACNPs were studied on C6 glioma cells using MTT and EdU-assays. Apoptosis/necrosis in C6 glioma cells was determined by annexin V and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) assays. Intracellular ROS generation in C6 glioma cells exposed with ACNP was determined by DCFDA assay using flow cytometry. Cell cycle analysis in C6 glioma cells treated with ACNP was performed by flow cytometry.

Results

Synthesised ACNPs showed spherical shape with 200 nm particle size, good thermal stability, and an acceptable polydispersity index. ASI from synthesized ACNPs demonstrated 90% encapsulation efficiency (EE) and 10% drug release within 24 h. Upon ACNP treatment mBA cells exhibited good cell viability and intact cell morphology. However, C6 cells displayed dose-dependent cytotoxicity when treated with ACNP. Annexin V and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) assays revealed late apoptosis and necrosis (p < 0.05) in C6 glioma cells treated with ACNP. Likewise, ACNPs significantly augmented reactive oxygen species generation (p < 0.05) in C6 glioma cells. ACNP treatment also resulted in cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase with chromatin condensation in C6 glioma cells.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that ACNPs act as an antiproliferative agent against C6 glioma cells via an increased intracellular ROS pathway that promotes apoptosis/necrosis. This study throws light on more in-depth mechanistic aspects of managing brain disorders using C. asiatica and its phytoconstituents.

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic Cannabis sativa derivative, and L-theanine, a green tea derivative, are gaining attention as potential promotors of psychological and cognitive health. The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was to determine whether eight-week, daily consumption of beverages containing CBD, along with L-theanine, would improve psychological health, cognitive function, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as innate immune cell quantity and function in young, healthy adults. A total of 102 healthy participants were randomly assigned to, and successfully completed, 8 weeks of one of four treatment arms: 1) 60 mg CBD plus L-theanine (CB60; n = 25); 2) 30 mg CBD plus L-theanine (CB30; n = 28); 3) vehicle containing only L-theanine (LTV; n = 24); and 4) a calorie-matched placebo (PLAC; n = 25). After 8 weeks, plasma cannabinoid metabolite concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in CB60 and CB30 groups. There were no significant changes in anxiety, fatigue, and cognition, or serum BDNF concentrations as a result of the intervention and no treatment-related changes in natural killer (NK) and NKT cell populations or function. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05189275).

Background

Despite abundant data regarding factors that influence COVID-19 symptom severity and need for hospitalization, few studies examine time to resolution of symptoms and potential complementary and alternative therapies that may expedite outpatient recovery. Uncertainty in expected symptom duration and potential missed opportunities to decrease this time persist. Likewise, studies tracking outpatient COVID-19 experiences among marginalized communities are lacking.

Objective

To describe the impact of complex Tibetan herbal formula regimens on symptom duration among ambulatory patients with native SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Methods

This multi-center, cohort study assessed deidentified data from patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study assessed cases from March 12, 2020 to May 5, 2021 for which vaccinations were not available, and thus reflect native infections.

Intervention

Diagnoses were made via telemedicine by a traditional Tibetan medical physician, and herbal formulas were prescribed based on specific symptom presentation of COVID-19 using the personalized medicine approach integral to traditional Tibetan medicine.

Results

Of 145 patient cases assessed for eligibility, 86 (59.3%) met inclusion criteria, and 67 (46.2%) had documented symptom resolution. Resolution of symptoms occurred within a median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 11.7 (10.1–13.5) days. The most common symptoms reported were cough and fever. Time to recovery did not significantly differ based on symptom presentation at baseline, except for a couple symptom groupings such as headache and joint pain where recovery time was shorter when those symptoms were present.

Conclusions and relevance

Ambulatory patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection receiving Tibetan herbal formulas had recovery from symptoms at a median of 11.7 days, fewer than other published reports in patients following standard of care. The Tibetan approach of targeting treatment based on symptom groups, especially those within classical Tibetan medical nosology, appears to result in quick symptom resolution.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the primary cause of dementia in the elderly population. Previous studies have suggested that numerous processes are involved in the development of AD, such as the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, hyperphosphorylated tau (τ) proteins, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling pathway, which results in neuroinflammation. Elevated microglial activation and the expression of cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) also participate in the pro-inflammatory process of AD. Together, these processes contribute significantly to disease progression. To slow disease progression, this review focuses on pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling and the molecular mechanisms influenced by natural compounds. Natural products have many known beneficial health effects in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically because of their anti-inflammatory properties. Natural products are capable of decreasing symptoms and alleviating the development of several diseases, including AD, thus attracting the attention of the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of abundant natural products and their bioactive compounds, which can modulate pro-inflammatory cytokine signalling in AD.