Protective effects of tao-Hong-si-wu decoction on memory impairment and hippocampal damage in animal model of vascular dementia

DIA-based serum proteomics revealed the protective effect of modified siwu decoction against hypobaric hypoxia

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Siwu decoction (SWD) is a common traditional formula for nourishing blood, and its derived formulas are also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic. However, the protective effects of SWD and its derived formulas on blood deficiency and blood stasis caused by rushing to the plateau are rarely reported, and the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study explores the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of modified siwu decoction (MSWD) adding Persicae Semans (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) and Carthami Flos (Carthamus tinctorius L.) against hypobaric hypoxia (HH). The acute toxicity of MSWD was also evaluated to further validate the potential of MSWD as a therapeutic candidate for HH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hypoxic models of C57BL/6 J and KM male mice were used to evaluate the pharmacological effect of MSWD. 2 μL serum sample of C57BL/6 J mice was digested into peptide mixtures and analyzed with DIA mode on an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos mass spectrometer after LC separation. The peptide and protein identifications were limited to a 1% FDR. Screening of differential expressed proteins, correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, principal components analysis and Mfuzz analysis were all performed by R packages. The protein-protein interaction network was analyzed using the STRING website and constructed with Cytoscape software.

RESULTS

MSWD showed a protective effect against acute hypoxia exposure through increasing the number of red blood cells and improving hemodynamics indexes in mice. Meanwhile, the biochemical results showed that MSWD could reduce the inflammation and oxidative stress, reduce the content of organ injury biomarkers and significantly improve the high-intensity exercise ability of mice. Subsequently, serum DIA proteomic results revealed significant changes in proteomic characteristics after MSWD intervention. Specifically, proteins related to oxidative stress and ubiquitin-proteasome system, such as Sod1, Gstp1, Vcp and Usp14, were down-regulated after MSWD intervention, suggesting that the protective effect of MSWD involved the reduction of oxidative stress and energy expenditure. MSWD also intervened in energy metabolism and lipid metabolism processes by altering the expression levels of Eno1, Sphk1 and Apoa1 to ameliorate hypoxia-induced disorders. At the same time, MSWD acute toxicity test showed no obvious toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

MSWD has a good protective effect against HH by ameliorating hypoxia-induced disorders of energy and lipid metabolism, supporting MSWD as a safe drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of acute hypoxia fatigue.

Mechanisms of multi-omics and network pharmacology to explain traditional chinese medicine for vascular cognitive impairment: A narrative review

BACKGROUND

The term "vascular cognitive impairment" (VCI) describes various cognitive conditions that include vascular elements. It increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population and is the most common cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease. Understanding the etiology of VCI may aid in identifying approaches to target its possible therapy for the condition. Treatment of VCI has focused on vascular risk factors. There are no authorized conventional therapies available right now. The medications used to treat VCI are solely approved for symptomatic relief and are not intended to prevent or slow the development of VCI.

PURPOSE

The function of Chinese medicine in treating VCI has not yet been thoroughly examined. This review evaluates the preclinical and limited clinical evidence to comprehend the "multi-component, multi-target, multi-pathway" mechanism of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It investigates the various multi-omics approaches in the search for the pathological mechanisms of VCI, as well as the new research strategies, in the hopes of supplying supportive evidence for the clinical treatment of VCI.

METHODS

This review used the Preferred Reporting Items for Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements. Using integrated bioinformatics and network pharmacology approaches, a thorough evaluation and analysis of 25 preclinical studies published up to July 1, 2023, were conducted to shed light on the mechanisms of TCM for vascular cognitive impairment. The studies for the systematic review were located using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, and ScienceDirect.

RESULTS

We discovered that the multi-omics analysis approach would hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI. It will explore components, compounds, targets, and pathways, slowing the progression of VCI from the perspective of inhibiting oxidative stress, stifling neuroinflammation, increasing cerebral blood flow, and inhibiting iron deposition by a variety of molecular mechanisms, which have significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

CONCLUSION

TCM is a valuable tool for developing dementia therapies, and further research is needed to determine how TCM components may affect the operation of the neurovascular unit. There are still some limitations, although several research have offered invaluable resources for searching for possible anti-dementia medicines and treatments. To gain new insights into the molecular mechanisms that precisely modulate the key molecules at different levels during pharmacological interventions-a prerequisite for comprehending the mechanism of action and determining the potential therapeutic value of the drugs-further research should employ more standardized experimental methods as well as more sophisticated science and technology. Given the results of this review, we advocate integrating chemical and biological component analysis approaches in future research on VCI to provide a more full and objective assessment of the standard of TCM. With the help of bioinformatics, a multi-omics analysis approach will hasten the discovery of the role of TCM in the treatment of VCI, which has significant implications for the treatment of VCI.

Protection of Taohong Siwu Decoction on PC12 cells injured by oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion via mitophagy-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to invigorate blood circulation and resolve blood stasis. It consists of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Conioselinum anthriscoides (H.Boissieu) Pimenov & Kljuykov, Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, and Carthamus creticus L. in the ratio of 3:2:4:3:3:2. THSWD is a common prescription for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To study the protective effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) on PC12 cells damaged by oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

OGD/R model of PC12 cells was used to simulate ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of nerve cells in vitro. The experiment was grouped as follows: control, OGD/R and OGD/R + THSWD (5%, 10% and 15%) group. Oxygen and glucose was restored for 24 h after 4-6 h of deprivation. The severity of damage to PC12 cells was evaluated by CCK8, flow cytometry and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Mitochondrial morphology and function were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assay kits. Cellular autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome-associated proteins were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

THSWD treatment improved the survival rate of PC12 cells injured by OGD/R, reduced cell damage and apoptosis. Moreover, ATP, MMP and the expression of autophagy marker proteins (LC3-II/LC3-I, Beclin1, Atg5) and mitophagy marker proteins (Parkin and PINK-1) was significantly elevated. The reactive oxygen species (ROS), NLRP3 inflammasome and pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by OGD/R were distinctly reduced. In contrast, these above beneficial effects of THSWD on mitochondrial autophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome were reversed by mitochondrial division inhibitory factor 1 (Mdivi-1).

CONCLUSION

THSWD protects PC12 cells against OGD/R injury by heightening mitophagy and suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Traditional Chinese medicine promotes the control and treatment of dementia

Dementia is a syndrome that impairs learning and memory. To date, there is no effective therapy for dementia. Current prescription drugs, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, fail to improve the condition of dementia and are often accompanied by severe adverse effects. In recent years, the number of studies into the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for dementia treatment has increased, revealing a formula that could significantly improve memory and cognitive dysfunctions in animal models. TCM showed fewer adverse effects, lower costs, and improved suitability for long-term use compared with currently prescribed drugs. Due to the complexity of ingredients and variations in bioactivity of herbal medicines, the multi-target nature of the traditional Chinese formula affected the outcome of dementia therapy. Innovations in TCM will create a platform for the development of new drugs for the prevention and treatment of dementia, further strengthening and enhancing the current influence of TCM.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation-based approach to understand the effect and mechanism of Taohong Siwu Decoction against ischemic stroke

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) is a classic prescription of traditional Chinese medicine that is mainly used for promoting blood circulation and alleviating blood stasis. THSWD is composed of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Carthamus tinctorius L., Ligusticum chuanxiong hort, Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) DC, and Paeoniae Radix Alba. This prescription eliminates blood stasis, supplements blood, and dredges the body as an auxiliary treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the mechanistic effects of THSWD in the treatment of cerebral ischemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

we downloaded 39 blood components for THSWD from the PharmMapper database for target prediction studies and identified the targets of cerebral ischemia. We identified the intersection between the components and targets, constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, carried out GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. a rat model of cerebral ischemia was established in rats, and the results of network pharmacology were verified by in vivo experiments.

RESULTS

Established a component-target-pathway network, further transcriptomics analysis identified a total of 11 target genes (Plau, Fabp4, Mmp9, Mmp12, Cfd, Lcn2, Trem1, Lgals3, Hmox1, Selp and Slc6a4), a total of seven pathways (focal adhesion, complement and coagulation cascades, Staphylococcus aureus infection, malaria, transcriptional dysregulation in cancer, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), because both targets genes and the complement and coagulation cascade signaling pathways mediate inflammatory responses, the signaling pathways associated with the complement and coagulation cascades were selected for experimental verification. We detected inflammatory factors and several key proteins in the complement and coagulation cascade signaling pathway (C1qb, C1qc, C3ar1, C5ar1, and Cfd). Analysis showed that THSWD can reduce the release of inflammatory factors and inhibit activation of the complement signaling pathways, thereby protecting against ischemic stroke disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide preliminary clarification of the predominant mechanism of action of THSWD when used to treat ischemic stroke.

Neuroprotective Effect of Taohong Siwu Decoction on Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Mitophagy-NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway

Objective: Globally, cerebral ischemia has been shown to be the second leading cause of death. Our previous studies have shown that Taohong Siwu Decoction (THSWD) exhibits obvious neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury (CIRI). In this study, we further explored the modulatory effect of THSWD on mitochondrial autophagy in CIRI and the relationship between modulatory effect and NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle activation, so as to further explain the mechanism of neuroprotective effect of THSWD.

Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion (MCAO/R) model in rats was built to simulate I/R. Adult male SD rats (220–270 g) were randomly divided into the following four groups: the sham group, the MCAO/R group, the MCAO/R + THSWD group, and the MCAO/R + THSWD + Mitochondrial division inhibitor 1 (Mdivi-1) group. Neurological defect scores were used to evaluate neurological function. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was conducted to measure cerebral infarct volume. Nissl staining, H&E staining and TUNEL staining were executed to detect ischemic cortical neuronal cell viability and apoptosis. Electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes of mitochondria. Total Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in tissue were measured by fluorescence spectrophotometry, and the activation status of microglia was evaluated by Iba-1/CD16 immunofluorescence staining. The levels of mitophagy-related proteins (LC3, Parkin, PINK1), NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins (NLRP3, ASC, Pro-caspase-1, Cleaved-caspase-1), and inflammatory cytokines (Pro-IL-18, Pro-IL-1β, IL-18, IL-1β) were evaluated by western blotting.

Results: The studies showed that THSWD treatment alleviated cerebral infarction and neurological deficiencies. THSWD upregulated the expressions of autophagy markers (LC3-II/LC3-I and Beclin1) mitochondrial autophagy markers (Parkin and PINK1) after CIRI. Furthermore, THSWD treatment attenuated microglia activation and damage to mitochondrial structures, thereby reducing ROS production and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In contrast, the mitochondrial autophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 inhibited the above beneficial effects of THSWD.

Conclusions: THSWD exhibits neuroprotective effects against MCAO/R in rats by enhancing mitochondrial autophagy and reducing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Taohong Siwu Decoction Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke Injury Via Suppressing Pyroptosis

Objective: Taohong Siwu decoction (THSWD) is one of the classic prescriptions for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and it has a good therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke. We sought to explore the therapeutic effects of THSWD on pyroptosis in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion-reperfusion (MCAO/R). Methods: MCAO/R model of rats were established by suture-occluded method. MCAO/R rats were randomly divided into five groups, which were model group, nimodipine group, THSWD high, medium and low dose group (18, 9, and 4.5 g/kg, respectively), rats of sham group without thread embolus. All rats were treated by intragastric administration for 7 days. We detected the level of inflammatory factors. NLRP3 and Caspase-1 were detected by immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to detect NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, and GSDMD in penumbra. Also, the expression of TXNIP, HMGB1, toll-like receptors (TLR4), NF-κB, and MAPK were detected. Results: THSWD treatment improved the behavioral function and brain pathological damage. These results showed that the levels of TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly reduced in THSWD treatment groups. THSWD could significantly decrease the expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, Caspase-1 p10, ASC, TXNIP, GSDMD, HMGB1, TLR4/NFκB, p38 MAPK, and JNK in penumbra. Conclusion: Our results showed that THSWD could reduce the activation level of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle, down-regulate GSDMD, and inhibit pyroptosis in MCAO/R rats. These may be affected by inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4/NFκB, MAPK signaling pathways.

Chinese herbal medicine for vascular cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is the most common etiology of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). VCI in CSVD (CSVD-VCI) shows a progressive course with multiple stages and is also associated with dysfunctions such as gait, emotional and behavioral, and urinary disturbances, which seriously affect the life quality of elderly people. In mainland China, Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is clinically used for CSVD-VCI and presenting positive efficacy, but the evidence revealed in relevant clinical trials has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study is to assess the current evidence available for the clinical efficacy and safety of CHM for CSVD-VCI.

METHODS

A literature search of published RCTs up to April 30, 2020, has been conducted in the following 7 electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Service System (SinoMed). For unpublished studies, 2 clinical trial online registration websites will be searched: ClinicalTrials.gov and Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR). Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using CHM in the treatment of patients with CSVD-VCI, which compares CHM with no treatment, placebo, or other conventional treatments, will be included in this systematic review. Primary outcomes will be set as acknowledged scales measuring cognitive function. Secondary outcomes will involve activities of daily living, behavioral, and psychological symptoms, global performance of dementia, neurological function, biological markers of endothelial dysfunction, the clinical effective rate, and adverse events. After screening studies and extracting data, the Cochrane Collaborations tool for assessing risk of bias will be applied to assess the methodological quality of included RCTs. Review Manager Version 5.3 software will be used for data synthesis and statistical analysis. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and meta-regression will be conducted to detect potential sources of heterogeneity. The funnel plot and Eggers test will be developed to evaluate publication bias, if available. We will perform the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system to appraise the quality of evidence.

RESULTS

Evidence exhibited in this systematic review will provide practical references in the field of CHM treating CSVD-VCI. Moreover, our detailed appraisals of methodological deficiencies of relevant RCTs will offer helpful advice for researchers who are designing trials of CHMs in the treatment of CSVD-VCI.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion about the clinical efficacy and safety of CHM for CSVD-VCI will be provided for clinical plans, decisions, and policy developments in the full version of this systematic review.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

INPLASY202080120.

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction promotes angiogenesis after cerebral ischaemia in rats via platelet microparticles

Platelet microparticles (PMPs) are membrane particles derived from the platelet membrane that enter into the blood circulation. We sought to explore the therapeutic effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction (THSWD) on angiogenesis in a rat model of cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R). The protective effect of THSWD on I/R rats was observed morphologically by immunohistochemical expression of VEGF and CD34, along with immunofluorescence results of co-expression of BrdU and vWF. Then, PMPs from different groups of rats were extracted, and cytokine array analysis was used to screen for angiogenesis associated proteins. The results showed that THSWD can promote the expression of VEGF, CD34, BrdU and vWF. Cytokine array analysis revealed the changes in the expression of 29 related angiogenic proteins in the total protein of PMPs, which involved the Notch signalling pathway. Compared with model group, the expression levels of NICD and Hes-1 in the THSWD group were significantly increased. In the context of I/R, the angiogenesis-related proteins of PMPs are different. THSWD may involve the promotion of activation of the Notch signalling pathway to achieve therapeutic effects on cerebral ischaemia.

Effects of Caffeine on Event-Related Potentials and Neuropsychological Indices After Sleep Deprivation

Objective: Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that can effectively alleviate brain fatigue and low cognitive efficiency induced by total sleep deprivation (TSD). Recent studies have demonstrated that caffeine can improve subjective attention and objective behavioral metrics, such as arousal level, reaction time, and memory efficiency. However, only a few studies have examined the electrophysiological changes caused by the caffeine in humans following sleep disturbance. In this study, an event-related potential (ERP) technique was employed to measure the behavioral, cognitive, and electrophysiological changes produced by caffeine administration after TSD.

Methods: Sixteen healthy subjects within-subject design performed a visual Go/No-Go task with simultaneous electroencephalogram recording. Behavioral and ERP data were evaluated after 36 h of TSD, and the effects of ingestion of either 400 mg of caffeine or placebo were compared in a double-blind randomized design.

Results: Compared with placebo administration, the Go hit rates were significantly enhanced in the caffeine condition. A simple effect analysis revealed that, compared with baseline, the Go-P2 amplitude was significantly enhanced after TSD in the caffeine consumption condition. A significant main effect of the drug was found on No-Go-P2, No-Go-N2 amplitude, and Go-P2 latency before and after TSD.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate that caffeine administration has acute effects on improving the efficiency of individual automatic reactions and early cognitive processes. Caffeine was related to the preservation of an individual’s arousal level and accelerated response-related decisions, while subjects’ higher-level recognition had limited improvement with prolonged awareness.

Bioinformatics analysis of a long non‑coding RNA and mRNA regulation network in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion based on RNA sequencing

Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proven to be critical gene regulators of development and disease. The main aim of the present study was to elucidate the lncRNA‑mRNA regulation network in ischemic stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) using RNA sequencing (RNA‑seq) in rats. lncRNA expression profiles were screened in brain tissues to identify a number of differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and genes (DEGs) by RNA‑seq. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to further confirm the lncRNA expression data. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were used to mine mRNA functions, and a lncRNA‑mRNA network was constructed. Additionally, cis‑ and trans‑regulatory gene analyses of DELs were predicted. A total of 134 DELs (fold change >2, false discovery rate <0.05) and 1,006 DEGs (fold change >2 and P<0.05) were identified. Eighteen lncRNAs were predicted to regulate heme oxygenase 1, mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B, chemokine ligand 2 and DNA Topoisomerase IIα, amongst other genes. These genes are all associated with a cellular response to inorganic substances, alkaloids, estradiol, reactive oxygen species, metal ions, oxidative stress, and are associated with metabolic pathways, chemokine signaling pathways, malaria, Parkinson's disease, the cell cycle and other GO and KEGG pathway enrichments. The present study identifies novel DELs and an lncRNA‑mRNA regulatory network that may allow for an improved understanding of the molecular mechanism of ischemic stroke induced by MCAO.

Difference of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and pyramid cell count during mastication of food with varying hardness

Previous studies suggested that mastication activity can affect learning and memory function. However, most were focused on mastication impaired models by providing long-term soft diet. The effects of chewing food with various hardness, especially during the growth period, remain unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the difference of hippocampus function and morphology, as characterized by pyramidal cell count and BDNF expression in different mastication activities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

28-day old, post-weaned, male-Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=7); the first (K0) was fed a standard diet using pellets as the control, the second (K1) was fed soft food and the third (K2) was fed hard food. After eight weeks, the rats were decapitated, their brains were removed and placed on histological plates made to count the pyramid cells and quantify BDNF expression in the hippocampus. Data collected were compared using one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

Results confirmed the pyramid cell count (K0=169.14±27.25; K1=130.14±29.32; K2=128.14±39.02) and BDNF expression (K0=85.27±19.78; K1=49.57±20.90; K2=36.86±28.97) of the K0 group to be significantly higher than that of K1 and K2 groups (p<0.05); no significant difference in the pyramidal cell count and BNDF expression was found between K1 and K2 groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

A standard diet leads to the optimum effect on hippocampus morphology. Food consistency must be appropriately suited to each development stage, in this case, hippocampus development in post-weaned period.

High Throughput mRNA Sequencing Reveals Potential Therapeutic Targets of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu Decoction in Experimental Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Background: Experimental and clinical studies have shown that Tao-Hong-Si-Wu decoction (THSWD) improved neurological deficits resulting from Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO). However, the mechanisms of action of THSWD in MCAO have not been characterized. In this study, the mRNA transcriptome was used to study various therapeutic targets of THSWD.

Methods: RNA-seq was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). MCAO-induced up-regulated genes (MCAO vs. control) and THSWD-induced down-regulated genes (compared to MCAO) were identified. Intersection genes were defined as up-regulated differentially expression genes (up-DEGs) identified as MCAO-induced gene expression that were reversed by THSWD. Genes down-regulated by MCAO and up-regulated by THSWD were grouped as another series of intersections. Biological functions and signaling pathways were determined by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. In addition, several identified genes were validated by RT-qPCR.

Results: A total of 339 DEGs were filtered based on the 2 series (MCAO vs. control and MCAO vs. THSWD), and were represented by genes involved in cell cycle (rno04110), ECM–receptor interaction (rno04512), complement and coagulation cascades (rno04610), focal adhesion (rno04510), hematopoietic cell lineage (rno04640), neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction (rno04080), cocaine addiction (rno05030), amphetamine addiction (rno05031), nicotine addiction (rno05033), fat digestion and absorption (rno04975), glycerophospholipid metabolism (rno00564), and others. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network consisted of 202 nodes and 1,700 connections, and identified two main modules by MOCDE.

Conclusion: Cell cycle (rno04110), ECM–receptor interaction (rno04512), complement and coagulation cascades (rno04610), focal adhesion (rno04510), hematopoietic cell lineage (rno04640), and neuroactive ligand–receptor interactions (rno04080) are potential therapeutic targets of THSWD in MCAO. This study provided a theoretical basis for THSWD prevention of neurological deficits resulting from intracerebral hemorrhage.

RNA Sequencing for Gene Expression Profiles in a Rat Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion

Gene expression regulatory mechanisms in models of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) have been assessed in some studies, but questions remain. The discovery of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MCAO and control rats analyzed by next-generation RNA sequencing is of particular interest. These DEGs may help guide the clinical diagnosis of stroke and facilitate selection of the optimal treatment strategy. Twenty rats were equally divided into control and MCAO groups. Three rats from each group were randomly selected for RNA sequencing analysis. Sequence reads were obtained from an Illumina HiSeq2500 platform and mapped onto the rat reference genome RN6 using Hisat2. We identified 1,007 significantly DEGs with p<0.05, including 785 upregulated (fold change [FC]>2) and 222 downregulated (FC<0.5) DEGs, in brain tissue from MCAO rats compared with that from control rats, and numerous immune response genes were identified. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the majority of the most enriched and meaningful biological process terms were mainly involved in immune response, inflammatory response, cell activation, leukocyte migration, cell adhesion, response to external stimulus, cell migration, and response to wounding. Also enriched were immune-related pathways and neural-related pathways. Similar to GO molecular function terms, the enriched terms were mainly related to cytokine receptor activity. Six DEGs were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Protein-protein interaction analysis of these hits revealed that MCAO affects complement and coagulation cascades and chemokine signaling pathway. Our study identified novel biomarkers that could help further elucidate MCAO mechanisms and processes.