{"title":"Electro-acupuncture modulated miR-214 expression to prevent chondrocyte apoptosis and reduce pain by targeting BAX and TRPV4 in osteoarthritis rats.","authors":"Jia He, Jia Zuo, Xiaochen Fan, Zhe Li","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13238","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent joint disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, synovial inflammation, and meniscal damage. Although the etiology of OA is multifactorial, pro-inflammatory processes appear to play a key role in disease pathogenesis. Previous studies indicate that electroacupuncture (EA) exerts chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects in preclinical models of OA, but the mechanisms underlying these potential therapeutic benefits remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EA on OA development in a rat model, as well as to explore associated molecular mechanisms modulated by EA treatment. Forty rats were divided into OA, EA, antagomiR-214, and control groups. Following intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate to induce OA, EA and antagomiR-214 groups received daily EA stimulation at acupoints around the knee joint for 21 days. Functional pain behaviors and chondrocyte apoptosis were assessed as outcome measures. The expression of microRNA-214 (miR-214) and its downstream targets involved in apoptosis and nociception, BAX and TRPV4, were examined. Results demonstrated that EA treatment upregulated miR-214 expression in OA knee cartilage. By suppressing pro-apoptotic BAX and pro-nociceptive TRPV4, this EA-induced miR-214 upregulation ameliorated articular pain and prevented chondrocyte apoptosis. These findings suggested that miR-214 plays a key role mediating EA's therapeutic effects in OA pathophysiology, and represents a promising OA treatment target for modulation by acupuncture.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11136484/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141159972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qinqin Song, Hongxue Xu, Hongjiao Wu, Jing Dong, Shanshan Ji, Xuemei Zhang, Zhi Zhang, Wanning Hu
{"title":"Pseudogene CSPG4P12 inhibits colorectal cancer progression by attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transition.","authors":"Qinqin Song, Hongxue Xu, Hongjiao Wu, Jing Dong, Shanshan Ji, Xuemei Zhang, Zhi Zhang, Wanning Hu","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13645","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13645","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers. Pseudogenes have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in the development of various cancers. However, the function of pseudogene CSPG4P12 in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of CSPG4P12 in colorectal cancer and explore the possible underlying mechanism. The difference of CSPG4P12 expression between colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed using the online Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) database. Cell viability and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate cell viability. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion capacities. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related proteins. Colorectal cancer tissues had lower CSPG4P12 expression than adjacent normal tissues. The overexpression of CSPG4P12 inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in colorectal cancer cells. Overexpressed CSPG4P12 promoted the expression of E-cadherin, whereas it inhibited the expression of vimentin, N-cadherin, and MMP9. These findings suggested that CSPG4P12 inhibits colorectal cancer development and may serve as a new potential target for colorectal cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11136487/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141159977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trichostatin A-modified vaccine provides superior protection against ovarian cancer formation and development","authors":"Yingwei Liu, T. Yi, Shenglan Meng, Xia Zhao, Xiancheng Chen, Yanna Zhang","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e12874","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e12874","url":null,"abstract":"More attention has been paid to immunotherapy for ovarian cancer and the development of tumor vaccines. We developed a trichostatin A (TSA)-modified tumor vaccine with potent immunomodulating activities that can inhibit the growth of ovarian cancer in rats and stimulate immune cell response in vivo. TSA-treated Nutu-19 cells inactivated by X-ray radiation were used as a tumor vaccine in rat ovarian cancer models. Prophylactic and therapeutic experiments were performed with TSA-modified tumor vaccine in rats. Flow cytometry and ELISpot assays were conducted to assess immune response. Immune cell expression in the spleen and thymus were detected by immunohistochemical staining. GM-CSF, IL-7, IL-17, LIF, LIX, KC, MCP-1, MIP-2, M-CSF, IP-10/CXCL10, MIG/CXCL9, RANTES, IL-4, IFN-γ, and VEGF expressions were detected with Milliplex Map Magnetic Bead Panel immunoassay. TSA vaccination in therapeutic and prophylactic models could effectively stimulate innate immunity and boost the adaptive humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to inhibit the growth and tumorigenesis of ovarian cancer. This vaccine stimulated the thymus into reactivating status and enhanced infiltrating lymphocytes in tumor-bearing rats. The expression of key immunoregulatory factors were upregulated in the vaccine group. The intensities of infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and NK cells were significantly increased in the vaccine group compared to the control group (P<0.05). This protection was mainly dependent on the IFN-γ pathway and, to a much lesser extent, by the IL-4 pathway. The tumor cells only irradiated by X-ray as the control group still showed a slight immune effect, indicating that irradiated cells may also cause certain immune antigen exposure, but the efficacy was not as significant as that of the TSA-modified tumor vaccine. Our study revealed the potential application of the TSA-modified tumor vaccine as a novel tumor vaccine against tumor refractoriness and growth. These findings offer a better understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of the vaccine against latent tumorigenesis and progression. This tumor vaccine therapy may increase antigen exposure, synergistically activate the immune system, and ultimately improve remission rates. A vaccine strategy designed to induce effective tumor immune response is being considered for cancer immunotherapy.","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140963162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T.S. Araujo, M. A. Spadella, C.P. Carlos, C. R. Tirapelli, E.F.B. Chagas, J.C.D. Pinheiro, A.B. Chies
{"title":"Adjuvant-induced arthritis promotes vascular hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine through a nitric oxide-related mechanism","authors":"T.S. Araujo, M. A. Spadella, C.P. Carlos, C. R. Tirapelli, E.F.B. Chagas, J.C.D. Pinheiro, A.B. Chies","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e13304","url":null,"abstract":"Arthritis has important cardiovascular repercussions. Phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction is impaired in rat aortas in the early phase of the adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), around the 15th day post-induction. Therefore, the present study aimed to verify the effects of AIA on hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine in rat aortas. AIA was induced by intradermal injection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (3.8 mg/dL) in the right hind paw of male Wistar rats (n=27). Functional experiments in isolated aortas were carried out 15 days after AIA induction. Morphometric and stereological analyses of the aortas were also performed 36 days after the induction of AIA. AIA did not promote structural modifications in the aortas at any of the time points studied. AIA reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction in endothelium-intact aortas, but not in endothelium-denuded aortas. However, AIA did not change KCl-induced contraction in either endothelium-intact or denuded aortas. L-NAME (non-selective NOS inhibitor), 1400W (selective iNOS inhibitor), and ODQ (guanylyl cyclase inhibitor) reversed AIA-induced hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine in intact aortas. 7-NI (selective nNOS inhibitor) increased the contraction induced by phenylephrine in aortas from AIA rats. In summary, the hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine induced by AIA was endothelium-dependent and mediated by iNOS-derived NO through activation of the NO-guanylyl cyclase pathway.","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140962872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Prevalence and risk factors for falls among older Chinese adults in the community: findings from the CLHLS study","authors":"Haodong Liang, Zijie Zhang, Haitian Lai, Tianzhao Tian","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13469","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e13469","url":null,"abstract":"Older adults have a high prevalence of falls due to a decline in physiological functions and various chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for falls among older individuals in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We collected information from 9737 older individuals (average age=84.26 years) from the CLHLS and used binary logistic regression analysis to explore the independent risk factors and protective factors for falls. The logistic regression analysis results are reported as adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). The prevalence of falls among older adults in China was 21.6%, with women (24.6%) having a higher prevalence than men (18.1%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that never (or rarely) eating fresh fruit, difficulty with hearing, cataracts, and arthritis were the common independent risk factors for falls in older Chinese men and women. Among men, age ≥80 years (aOR=1.86), never doing housework (aOR=1.36), and dyslipidemia (aOR=1.47) were risk factors, while eating milk products once a week was a protective factor. Alcohol consumption (aOR=1.40), physical labor (aOR=1.28), and heart disease (aOR=1.21) were risk factors for falls in women, while a daily sleep duration of 6-12 h and garlic consumption once a week were protective factors. The prevalence of falls among older adults in China is 21.6% and is greater in women than in men. These risk and protective factors can be used to formulate reasonable recommendations for living habits, diet, and chronic disease control strategies.","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140963289","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"FRZB: a potential prognostic marker for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma","authors":"Yunshan Li, Feihan Gu, Xu Huang, Wenkai Huang, Junwei Xiang, Jiayuan Yue, Yuanyin Wang, Ran Chen","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13368","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e13368","url":null,"abstract":"Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with approximately 600,000 new cases each year. A small number of HNSCCs are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Frizzled related protein (FRZB) has been reported in many inflammatory diseases and cancers, but it is yet unclear how FRZB affects HNSCC, as well as its role and underlying mechanism. TIMER2 database was utilized to evaluate FRZB expression in cancer tissues, and FRZB expression in HNSCC tissues was confirmed by samples obtained from Gene Expression Omnibus. To identify whether FRZB could be used as a prognostic predictor, we performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. FRZB co-expression profile was explored using the LinkedOmics database, then Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene Ontology enrichment analyses were performed for these FRZB-related genes in HNSCC samples. Lasso regression analysis was subsequently used to screen for prognostic variables, and we determined the infiltration of immune cells in HNSCC patients to clarify the influence of FRZB on tumor immune microenvironment. At last, we assessed the association between FRZB expression and immune checkpoint gene, and compared the sensitivity of common chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we found that FRZB was dysregulated in HNSCC tumor tissues and had a relationship with clinical parameters. The reliability and independence of FRZB as a factor in determining a patient's prognosis for HNSCC was also established. Additional investigation revealed that FRZB was linked to common immune checkpoint genes and may be implicated in immune infiltration.","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140963749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Delu Zheng, Chenli Cui, Chengsong Ye, Chen Shao, Xiujing Zha, Ying Xu, Xu Liu, Can Wang
{"title":"Coenzyme Q10 prevents RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting autophagy via inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways.","authors":"Delu Zheng, Chenli Cui, Chengsong Ye, Chen Shao, Xiujing Zha, Ying Xu, Xu Liu, Can Wang","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13474","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13474","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that is implicated in the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, but the underlying mechanism has not been determined. We explored the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in this process. RAW264.7 cells received receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and CoQ10, after which the differentiation and viability of osteoclasts were assessed. After the cells were treated with CoQ10 and/or H2O2 and RANKL, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and proteins involved in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways and autophagy were tested. Moreover, after the cells were pretreated with or without inhibitors of the two pathways or with the mitophagy agonist, the levels of autophagy-related proteins and osteoclast markers were measured. CoQ10 significantly decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells and the level of ROS but had no significant impact on cell viability. The relative phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ERK, and p38 were significantly reduced, but the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly augmented. Moreover, the levels of FOXO3/LC3/Beclin1 were significantly increased by the inhibitors and mitophagy agonist, while the levels of osteoclast markers showed the opposite results. Our data showed that CoQ10 prevented RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by promoting autophagy via inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways in RAW264.7 cells.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11085036/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E A Hase, L L Iervolino, H A Antico, N Bozzini, R P V Francisco
{"title":"Giant uterine tumor and miscarriage: how to proceed?","authors":"E A Hase, L L Iervolino, H A Antico, N Bozzini, R P V Francisco","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13549","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Expanding uterine masses can be the cause of pregnancy loss and add technical difficulties to uterus evacuation due to the intense anatomical distortion of the endocervical canal and uterine cavity. The literature is scarce in the peculiarities of the management of missed abortions in uterus with important distorted anatomies. We report a case of a primigravida patient who presented a rapid and expressive increase of abdominal volume due to a giant uterine mass, evolving to miscarriage. Ultrasound can be a useful tool, allowing visualization of the endocervical path and uterine cavity, helping to perform uterine evacuation in the presence of anatomical distortion without compromising the reproductive future. To the best of our knowledge, no such case has been previously reported.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11085029/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Y A Gomes, W L L Santos, C S Pinheiro, J S Severo, J C C Oliveira Júnior, A C A da Silva, B L B Dos Santos, C H L Rocha, A A Dos Santos, M T B da Silva
{"title":"Moderate physical exercise and ATP modulate the P2X7 receptor and improve cisplatin-induced gastric emptying delay in rats.","authors":"Y A Gomes, W L L Santos, C S Pinheiro, J S Severo, J C C Oliveira Júnior, A C A da Silva, B L B Dos Santos, C H L Rocha, A A Dos Santos, M T B da Silva","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13234","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13234","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Patients undergoing chemotherapy with cisplatin commonly present gastrointestinal effects such as constipation and gastric emptying (GE) delay. Both the purinergic system and physical exercise modulate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the current study, we investigated the role of ATP, physical exercise, and P2X7 receptor blocking on GE delay induced by cisplatin in rats. Male rats were divided into the following groups: control (C), cisplatin (Cis), exercise (Ex), Brilliant Blue G (BBG), ATP, Cis+Ex, Cis+ATP, Cis+BBG, Cis+Ex+BBG, Cis+Ex+BBG+ATP, and Cis+ATP+BBG. GE delay was induced by treatment with 1 mg/kg cisplatin (1 time/week for 5 weeks, ip). The moderate physical exercise was swimming (1 h/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks). At the end of the treatment or exercise and 30 min before the GE assessment, some groups received BBG (50 mg/kg, sc) or ATP (2 mg/kg, sc). Then, GE was assessed after a 10-min postprandial period. Chronic use of Cis decreased GE delay (P<0.05) compared to the control group. Both exercise and ATP prevented (P<0.05) GE delay compared to Cis. The pretreatment with BBG significantly inhibited (P<0.05) the effect of exercise and ATP. On the other hand, the association between exercise and ATP reversed (P<0.05) the effect of the BBG and prevented GE delay. Therefore, we suggest that both exercise and treatment with ATP activate P2X7 receptors and prevent GE delay induced by cisplatin in rats.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11085034/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiayun Zhou, Guoao Shi, Ruiming Chen, Lingsan Hu, Zhongxian Li, Yifu Zhou, Pan Zhang, Xiang Ji, Min Peng, Kengyu Chen, Luda Yan, Peng Zhou
{"title":"Acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Xiayun Zhou, Guoao Shi, Ruiming Chen, Lingsan Hu, Zhongxian Li, Yifu Zhou, Pan Zhang, Xiang Ji, Min Peng, Kengyu Chen, Luda Yan, Peng Zhou","doi":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13389","DOIUrl":"10.1590/1414-431X2024e13389","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>During the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a sharp increase in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Acupuncture therapy has the advantages of accurate clinical efficacy, safety and reliability, few adverse reactions, and no dependence, and is gradually becoming one of the emerging therapies for treating GAD. We present a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial with the aim of exploring the mechanism of brain plasticity in patients with GAD and evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of acupuncture treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to assess cortical excitability in GAD patients and healthy people. Sixty-six GAD patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly divided into two groups: TA group, (treatment with acupuncture and basic western medicine treatment) and SA group (sham acupuncture and basic western medicine treatment). Twenty healthy people will be recruited as the control group (HC). The parameters that will be evaluated are amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs), cortical resting period (CSP), resting motor threshold (RMT), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score. Secondary results will include blood analysis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), serotonin (5-HT), and brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention (week 8). This study protocol is the first clinical trial designed to detect differences in cerebral cortical excitability between healthy subjects and patients with GAD, and the comparison of clinical efficacy and reliability before and after acupuncture intervention is also one of the main contents of the protocol. We hope to find a suitable non-pharmacological alternative treatment for patients with GAD.</p>","PeriodicalId":9088,"journal":{"name":"Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11085035/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140875833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}