Treatment algorithms of relapsing multiple sclerosis: an exploration based on the available disease-modifying therapies in China.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) was defined as a rare disease in China due to its low prevalence. For a long time, interferon β was the only approved disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Since the first oral DMT was approved in 2018, DMT approval accelerated, and seven DMTs were approved within 5 years.

Macrophage KLF15 prevents foam cell formation and atherosclerosis via transcriptional suppression of OLR-1.

Background: Macrophage-derived foam cells are a hallmark of atherosclerosis. Scavenger receptors, including lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (OLR-1), are the principal receptors responsible for the uptake and modification of LDL, facilitating macrophage lipid load and the uptake of oxidized LDL by arterial wall cells. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes by binding to the promoter during transcription.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers of Punding in Parkinson's Disease.

Punding is a rare condition triggered by dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by a complex, excessive, repetitive, and purposeless abnormal movement, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. We aimed to assess the brain structure alterations related to punding by using multipametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty-eight PD patients (19 with punding and 19 without punding) from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI) were included in this study.

Identification of D359-0396 as a novel inhibitor of the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Aims: Pyroptosis is a unique pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death which plays a critical role in promoting the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, the current drug that is capable of inhibition pyroptosis has not been translated successfully in the clinic, suggesting a requirement for drug screening in depth.

Methods: We screened more than 20,000 small molecules and found D359-0396 demonstrates a potent anti-pyroptosis and anti-inflammation effect in both mouse and human macrophage.

Macrophage polarization states in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting large and medium arteries, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases. Macrophages are key mediators of inflammatory responses. They are involved in all stages of atherosclerosis development and progression, from plaque formation to transition into vulnerable plaques, and are considered important therapeutic targets.

Analysis of the Efficacy of Acupuncture Combined with Rehabilitation Training in the Treatment of Upper Limb Spasm after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Systematic evaluation of the efficacy of acupuncture combined with cognitive rehabilitation training in the treatment of upper limb spasm after cerebral apoplexy.

Methods: The data of CNKI, CBM, CQVIP, Wanfang, and the libraries of Pubmed and Cochrane were searched by computer, and the related literatures about acupuncture combined with cognitive rehabilitation training in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction after stroke were searched. The search time is from January 1, 1995 to January 1, 2022.

IV/IT hUC-MSCs Infusion in RRMS and NMO: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Stem cell transplantation is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy in several autoimmune diseases. However, the safety and feasibility of long-term combined intravenous (IV) and intrathecal (IT) administration of hUC-MSCs in relapse remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is largely unknown. In this study, we followed up the long-term safety and feasibility of combined IV and IT human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) transplantation in patients with RRMS and NMO.

Impaired long contact white matter fibers integrity is related to depression in Parkinson's disease.

Aims: Depression is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). But the pathogenesis is still unclear. Studies have shown that depression in PD is closely related to the white matter abnormalities, but the number of studies is still very small and lack of whole brain white matter lesions study.

Reduction of white matter integrity correlates with apathy in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Apathy is a common non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), but little is known about apathy and white matter (WM) change. In this study, we investigated whether fractional anisotropy (FA) of the WM can distinguish apathetic patients from non-apathetic PD patients, and whether the FA value correlates with the severity of apathy in PD.

Methods: Thirty-nine PD patients participated in our study, of which 18 participants were with apathy symptom, and 21 without apathy symptom.

Safety and efficacy of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell therapy in hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia.

Hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a devastating, incurable disease. Stem-cell-based therapies represent new promise for clinical research in neurology. The objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and potential toxicity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) therapy in patients with SCA.

Trichostatin A enhances OGD-astrocyte viability by inhibiting inflammatory reaction mediated by NF-kappaB.

In this study we investigate the protective effects of Trichostatin A (TSA) on astrocyte injury after oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and further explore its possible protective mechanisms of inhibiting inflammatory reaction mediated by nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). In the in vitro model of astrocyte OGD, TSA treatment was used at different doses and time points before deprivation. Astroglial viability was determined by MTT assay.

Opening of microglial K(ATP) channels inhibits rotenone-induced neuroinflammation.

As activated microglia (MG) is an early sign that often precedes and triggers neuronal death, inhibition of microglial activation and reduction of subsequent neurotoxicity may offer therapeutic benefit. The present study demonstrates that rat primary cultured MG expressed Kir6.1 and SUR2 subunits of K(ATP) channel, which was identical to that expressed in BV-2 microglial cell line.

Enhancement of glutamate uptake in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-treated astrocytes by trichostatin A.

Histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitors have been emerging as neuroprotective agents by acting on neurons and microglia. In this study, we found trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC inhibitor, could inhibit the elevation of glutamate in 150 microM 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-treated primary cultured astrocytes medium when its concentration reached 132 nM. TSA of 132 nM or more could promote the uptake of [3H]-D, L-glutamate by astrocytes.

Iptakalim alleviates rotenone-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons through inhibiting microglia-mediated neuroinflammation.

Inhibition of microglia-mediated neuroinflammation has been regarded as a prospective strategy for treating neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we demonstrated that systematic administration with iptakalim (IPT), an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP)) opener, could alleviate rotenone-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in rat substantia nigra along with the downregulation of microglial activation and mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In rat primary cultured microglia, pretreatment with IPT suppressed rotenone-induced microglial activation evidenced by inhibition of microglial amoeboid morphological alteration, declined expression of ED1 (a marker for activated microglia), and decreased production of TNF-alpha and prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)).

Activation of Group II/III metabotropic glutamate receptors attenuates LPS-induced astroglial neurotoxicity via promoting glutamate uptake.

Altered glial function that leads to oxidative stress and excitotoxicity may contribute to the initiation or progression of neuronal death in neurodegenerative diseases. We report the pivotal role of astroglial Group II and III metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) against neurotoxicity. Activation of Group II or III mGluR on astrocytes with selective agonists DCG-IV or L-AP4 respectively inhibited astroglial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-conditioned medium induced apoptosis of primary cultured mesencephalic neurons.

The regulation of rotenone-induced inflammatory factor production by ATP-sensitive potassium channel expressed in BV-2 cells.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that activating ATP-sensitive potassium channel (K(ATP) channel), not only improved Parkinsonian behavior and neurochemical symptoms, but also reduced iNOS activity and mRNA levels in striatum and nigra of rotenone rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this study, it was first shown that the subunits of K(ATP) channels are expressed in BV-2 cells, and then it was investigated whether K(ATP) channel was involved in regulating inflammatory factor production from BV-2 cells activated by rotenone. It was found that K(ATP) channel was expressed in BV-2 cell and formed by the combination of Kir 6.