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Gajdošová L, Katrenčíková B, Borbélyová V, Muchová J. The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise on Locomotor Activity, Exploratory Activity, and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult and Aged Rats. Physiol Res 2024; 73:461-480. [PMID: 39012176 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable and complex biological process that is associated with a gradual decline in physiological functions and a higher disease susceptibility. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid, play a crucial role in maintaining brain health and their deficiency is linked to age-related cognitive decline. Combining omega-3-rich diets with exercise may enhance cognitive function more effectively, as both share overlapping neurobiological and physiological effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise and omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation in two different doses (160 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg) on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive abilities in both adult and aged rats. Male Wistar rats (4-5- and 23-24-month-old) were randomly divided into seven groups: 3-week control supplemented with placebo without exercise, low-dose omega-3 FAs, high-dose omega-3 FAs, 7-week control supplemented with placebo without exercise, exercise-only, low-dose omega-3 FAs with exercise, and high-dose omega-3 FAs with exercise. The administered oil contained omega-3 FAs with DHA:EPA in a ratio of 1.5:1. Our results indicate that aging negatively impacts the locomotor and exploratory activity of rats. In adult rats, a low dose of omega-3 FAs reduces locomotor activity when combined with exercise while high dose of omega-3 FAs reduces anxiety-like behavior and improves recognition memory when combined with exercise. The combination of omega-3 FAs and exercise had varying impacts on behavior, suggesting a need for further research in this area to fully understand their therapeutic efficacy in the context of cognitive changes associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gajdošová
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Boukari O, Khemissi W, Ghodhbane S, Lahbib A, Tebourbi O, Rhouma KB, Sakly M, Hallegue D. Effects of testosterone replacement on lipid profile, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cognitive performance in castrated wistar rats. Arch Ital Urol Androl 2023; 95:11593. [PMID: 38193231 DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2023.11593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Androgen deficiency is associated with multiple biochemical and behavioral disorders. This study investigated the effects of testosterone replacement and Spirulina Platensis association on testosterone deficiency-induced metabolic disorders and memory impairment. METHODS Adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups and received the following treatments for 20 consecutive days. CONTROL GROUP non-castrated rats received distilled water. Castrated group received distilled water. Testosterone treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone dissolved in corn oil by subcutaneous injection (i.p.). Spirulina co-treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone (i.p.) dissolved in corn oil followed by 1000 mg/kg of Spirulina per os. RESULTS Data showed that castration induced an increase in plasma ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (PAL), cholesterol, and triglycerides level. Castrated rats showed a great elevation in SOD and CAT activities and MDA and H2O2 levels in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and brain. Testosterone deficiency was also associated with alteration of the spatial memory and exploratory behaviour. Testosterone replacement either alone or with Spirulina combination efficiently improved most of these biochemical parameters and ameliorated cognitive abilities in castrated rats. CONCLUSIONS Testosterone replacement either alone or in combination with Spirulina improved castration-induced metabolic, oxidative, and cognitive alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oumayma Boukari
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Wahid Khemissi
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Soumaya Ghodhbane
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Aida Lahbib
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Olfa Tebourbi
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Khemais Ben Rhouma
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Mohsen Sakly
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
| | - Dorsaf Hallegue
- Laboratory of Integrated Physiology, Department Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Jarzouna 7021, Bizerte.
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Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Pytka K. Sex-dependent differences in animal cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105374. [PMID: 37634555 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
The differences in cognitive processes driven by biological sex are the issues that have gotten growing attention recently. Considering the increasing population suffering from various cognitive impairments and the development of therapeutic strategies, it is essential that we recognize the mechanisms responsible for discrepancies observed in male and female learning and memory functions. In this review, we discuss recent reports from preclinical studies on rodents regarding selected cognitive domains to explore the state of knowledge on sex-dependent differences and point to challenges encountered during such research. We focus on spatial, recognition, and emotional memory, as well as on executive functions, such as attention, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. This review will help to acknowledge sex-related differences in cognition and indicate some fields that lack sufficient data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Koszałka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland; Jagiellonian University Medical College, Doctoral School of Medical and Health Sciences, Św. Łazarza 16, 31-530 Krakow, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
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Dockman RL, Carpenter JM, Diaz AN, Benbow RA, Filipov NM. Sex differences in behavior, response to LPS, and glucose homeostasis in middle-aged mice. Behav Brain Res 2022; 418:113628. [PMID: 34687827 PMCID: PMC8671369 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Sex and age have distinct influences and roles in behavior and immune reactivity; yet, most studies use adult male rodents with little attention to middle age, a time associated with key physiological transitions in both sexes. Thus, this study investigated sex differences during middle age in behavior, immune response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and glucose regulation in C57BL/6 mice with GFP-tagged monocytes/microglia. Behaviorally, males performed better in tests of motor function (Open Field [OF], Grip Strength, Sticker Removal, Gait, and Pole tests) and displayed less depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors across multiple mood tests (OF, Elevated Zero Maze, Sucrose Preference, and Swim test). However, females performed better in tests of cognition (Barnes Maze and Novel Object Recognition). Following behavioral assessment, mice were given LPS to characterize sex-dependent inflammagen responses. Females displayed greater sickness behavior in the OF, higher levels of peripheral cytokines, and subtle neuroinflammation in the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. A separate middle-aged cohort was used for glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity testing. Both sexes had excessive blood glucose rebound after insulin challenge, but displayed differences following glucose administration, where males had higher baseline glucose and females remained hyperglycemic. This study suggests that during middle-age male mice have better emotional regulation and motor function, but not cognitive ability than females. Further, males are less sensitive than females to the acute effects of LPS peripherally and centrally, but both sexes showed sex-specific impairments in blood glucose regulation. Overall, it appears that middle age is an important transition point with multiple sex differences, some of which are unique to this stage of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Dockman
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Jessica M Carpenter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Alexa N Diaz
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Robert A Benbow
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States
| | - Nikolay M Filipov
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, United States.
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OSTATNÍKOVÁ D, LAKATOŠOVÁ S, BABKOVÁ J, HODOSY J, CELEC P. Testosterone and the Brain: From Cognition to Autism. Physiol Res 2021. [DOI: 10.33549/10.33549/physiolres.934592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex and gender matter in all aspects of life. Humans exhibit sexual dimorphism in anatomy, physiology, but also pathology. Many of the differences are due to sex chromosomes and, thus, genetics, other due to endocrine factors such as sex hormones, some are of social origin. Over the past decades, huge number of scientific studies have revealed striking sex differences of the human brain with remarkable behavioral and cognitive consequences. Prenatal and postnatal testosterone influence brain structures and functions, respectively. Cognitive sex differences include especially certain spatial and language tasks, but they also affect many other aspects of the neurotypical brain. Sex differences of the brain are also relevant for the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorders, which are much more prevalent in the male population. Structural dimorphism in the human brain was well-described, but recent controversies now question its importance. On the other hand, solid evidence exists regarding gender differences in several brain functions. This review tries to summarize the current understanding of the complexity of the effects of testosterone on brain with special focus on their role in the known sex differences in healthy individuals and people in the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- D OSTATNÍKOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - S LAKATOŠOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - J BABKOVÁ
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - J HODOSY
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - P CELEC
- Institute of Physiology, Academic Research Centre for Autism, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Testosterone enhances mitochondrial complex V function in the substantia nigra of aged male rats. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:10398-10414. [PMID: 32445551 PMCID: PMC7346067 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in coordinated motor behavior and mitochondrial complex V activity have been observed in aged males. Testosterone supplementation can improve coordinated motor behavior in aged males. We investigated the effects of testosterone supplementation on mitochondrial complex V function in the substantia nigra (a brain region that regulates motor activity) in aged male rats. These rats exhibited diminished ATP levels, attenuated mitochondrial complex V activity, and reduced expression of 3 of the 17 mitochondrial complex V subunits (ATP6, ATP8 and ATP5C1) in the substantia nigra. Testosterone supplementation increased ATP levels, mitochondrial complex V activity, and ATP6, ATP8 and ATP5C1 expression in the substantia nigra of the rats. Conversely, orchiectomy reduced mitochondrial complex V activity, downregulated ATP6 and ATP8 expression, and upregulated ATP5C1, ATP5I and ATP5L expression in the substantia nigra. Testosterone replacement reversed those effects. Thus, testosterone enhanced mitochondrial complex V function in the substantia nigra of aged male rats by upregulating ATP6 and ATP8. As potential testosterone targets, these two subunits may to some degree maintain nigrostriatal dopaminergic function in aged males.
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Renczés E, Borbélyová V, Keresztesová L, Ostatníková D, Celec P, Hodosy J. The age-dependent effect of pre-pubertal castration on anxiety-like behaviour in male rats. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13649. [PMID: 32436231 DOI: 10.1111/and.13649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is considered to be a critical period of sex hormone action (re)organising the brain and determining the behavioural phenotype. Such organisational effects in the brain might be the cause of sex differences in some behavioural features. In this experiment, we aimed to examine the role of pubertal sex hormones in development of anxiety in male rats. Male rats underwent gonadectomy prior to puberty onset, and were tested for explorative and anxiety-like behaviour in adolescence as well as in young adulthood. In adolescence, but not in adulthood, gonadectomised rats spend by 50% more time (p < .05) in the centre zone of the open-field than sham-operated counterparts. Young adult gonadectomised rats showed approximately 1.5-fold greater exploratory activity, in both open field (p < .001) and elevated plus maze (p < .01), in comparison with young adult control rats. Our results indicate that pre-pubertal castration may have test-specific anxiolytic effect in adolescent male rats, and it may attenuate the decline in explorative behaviour in young adult males. These differences in short- and long-term effects of gonadectomy could explain some contradictory results of previous studies on the role of testosterone in anxiety-like behaviour of male rodents. Thus, the age-specific consequences of pre-pubertal hormone deprivation should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Renczés
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Borbélyová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lenka Keresztesová
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Domonkos E, Hodosy J, Ostatníková D, Celec P. On the Role of Testosterone in Anxiety-Like Behavior Across Life in Experimental Rodents. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:441. [PMID: 30127767 PMCID: PMC6088149 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Testosterone affects brain functions and might explain some of the observed behavioral sex differences. Animal models may help in elucidating the possible involvement of sex hormones in these sex differences. The effects of testosterone have been intensively investigated, especially in anxiety models. Numerous experiments have brought inconsistent results with either anxiolytic or anxiogenic effects. Besides methodological variations, contradictory findings might be explained by the divergent metabolism of testosterone and its recognition by neurons during prenatal and postnatal development. Gonadectomy and subsequent supplementation have been used to study the role of sex hormones. However, the variable duration of hypogonadism might affect the outcomes and the effect of long-term androgen deficiency is understudied. Testosterone can be metabolized to dihydrotestosterone strengthening the androgen signaling, but also to estradiol converting the androgen to estrogen activity. Moreover, some metabolites of testosterone can modulate γ-aminobutyric acid and serotonergic neurotransmission. Here we review the currently available experimental data in experimental rodents on the effects of testosterone on anxiety during development. Based on the experimental results, females are generally less anxious than males from puberty to middle-age. The anxiety-like behavior of females and males is likely influenced by early organizational effects, but might be modified by activational effects of testosterone and its metabolites. The effects of sex hormones leading to anxiogenesis or anxiolysis depend on factors affecting hormonal status including age. The biological and several technical issues make the study of effects of testosterone on anxiety very complex and should be taken into account when interpreting experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emese Domonkos
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Celec
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Cui R, Kang Y, Wang L, Li S, Ji X, Yan W, Zhang G, Cui H, Shi G. Testosterone Propionate Exacerbates the Deficits of Nigrostriatal Dopaminergic System and Downregulates Nrf2 Expression in Reserpine-Treated Aged Male Rats. Front Aging Neurosci 2017; 9:172. [PMID: 28620296 PMCID: PMC5449473 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2017.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a controversy over the effects of testosterone supplements on dopaminergic function. Both neuroprotective and toxic effects of testosterone supplements are reported. The status of oxidative stress seems to explain the neuroprotective or toxic properties of testosterone. To determine the efficacy of testosterone supplements in different status of oxidative stress, the present studies analyzed the dopamine (DA)-related behaviors and neurochemical indices, as well as markers of nigrostriatal dopaminergic (NSDA) system in reserpine-treated aged male rats followed by testosterone propionate (TP) supplements. The status of oxidative stress of experimental animals was evaluated by analyzing oxidative stress parameters and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway in substantia nigra (SN). Consistent with our previous studies, TP supplements to 21-month old aged male rats had the beneficial effects on NSDA system and DA-related behaviors and enhanced the antioxidative capabilities in SN. However, the beneficial effects of TP supplements on NSDA system and DA-related behaviors in aged male rats were reversed by reserpine pretreatment to them. Reserpine treatment induced the severe oxidative stress and reduced the expressions of Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) in the SN of aged male rats. The TP supplements to reserpine-pretreated aged male rats exacerbated the defects in NSDA system and DA-related behaviors, aggravated oxidative damages and downregulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in the SN. These results suggested that the efficacy of TP supplements on impaired NSDA system was related to the status of oxidative stress in experimental rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Cui
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Yunxiao Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Shuangcheng Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaoming Ji
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Wensheng Yan
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Guoliang Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China.,Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Department of Human Anatomy, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
| | - Geming Shi
- Department of Neurobiology, Hebei Medical UniversityShijiazhuang, China
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