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Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome actively regulates cognitive functions and that gut microbiome imbalance is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. However, the changes in gut microbiome composition in AD and their association with disease pathology, especially in the early stages, are unclear. Here, we compared the profiles of gut microbiota between APP/PS1 transgenic mice (an AD mouse model) and their wild-type littermates at different ages by amplicon-based sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Microbiota composition started diverging between the APP/PS1 and wild-type mice at young ages (i.e., 1–3 months), before obvious amyloid deposition and plaque-localized microglial activation in the cerebral cortex in APP/PS1 mice. At later ages (i.e., 6 and 9 months), there were distinct changes in the abundance of inflammation-related bacterial taxa including Escherichia-Shigella, Desulfovibrio, Akkermansia, and Blautia in APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that gut microbiota alterations precede the development of key pathological features of AD, including amyloidosis and plaque-localized neuroinflammation. Thus, the investigation of gut microbiota might provide new avenues for developing diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a classical formula for the treatment of depression, the clinical application of vinegar-processed products of Bupleuri Radix (Bupleurum chinense DC., BR) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Paeonia lactiflora Pall., PRA) contained in Sinisan (SNS) is still controversial. Three levels of 'individual herb, herb-pair, and herbal formula' were employed to investigate whether and how the processing of main drugs affected the active constituents of pharmacokinetics in SNS, as well as their impacts on the hepatic CYP450 enzyme. Rats were subjected to construct a chronic unpredictable mild stimulation (CUMS) model. A rapid and sensitive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) analytical method was developed and validated for simultaneously quantitative evaluation of thirteen potential active compounds of SNS in depressive rat plasma, and successfully applied to a holistic comparison of pharmacokinetics. The differences in pharmacokinetic parameters based on three different forms of drug composition from BR and PRA before and after vinegar-processing were compared. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR and Western Blot were utilized to explore the metabolic activity of three isoforms of CYP450 enzyme scattered in the livers of depressive rats. The characteristic pharmacokinetics profiles of thirteen representative constituents in CUMS rats were influenced by vinegar-processing of BR and PRA and/or the compatibility. In detail, there were significant differences in the C max , AUC 0-24 , AUC 0-∞ , t 1/2 , and MRT 0-24 of most constituents among the three different forms of drug composition from BR and PRA before and after vinegar-processing, with the most obvious changes in six constituents from the adjuvant and mediating guide drugs. And also, the pharmacokinetic parameters of seven constituents from BR and PRA in SNS containing vinegar-processed products obviously changed after compatibility. Additionally, the mRNA and protein levels of CYP1A2, CYP2E1, and CYP3A1 were observed to increase significantly with the processing of BR and PRA and the combination/formulation. In conclusion, SNS containing vinegar-processed products was more conducive to the absorption of most activated constituents compared to the original formula in vivo. The vinegar-processing of BR and PRA and the compatibility co-contribute to the pharmacokinetic variability of active compounds of SNS in CUMS rats, and the extent of contribution varies among drugs, which might be related to the regulation of the hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. The finding of the investigation could help to better understand how active compounds metabolized in vivo , which might be helpful for guiding the clinical application of SNS containing vinegar-processed products. [Display omitted] • Sfrom Sinisan in CUMS rat plasmas.A UHPLC-MS/MS method was validated for simultaneously quantification of 13 constituents from SNS in CUMS rat plasmas. • Pharmacokinetic profiles of 13 constituents in CUMS rats with administration of improved SNS were reported. • P R Three different forms of drug composition from BR and PRA before and after vinegar-processing were investigated. • Processing and compatibility could synergistically influence pharmacokinetic behaviors and thus exert potentiating effects. • Effects of processing and compatibility on regulation of CYP450 were verified, with improved SNS being the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To characterize uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in nonobese diabetic/severely compromised immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice and investigate the potential role of these cells in pregnancy tolerance. Design: An animal model–based study. Setting: Academic research center in a university. Animal(s): Syngeneic pregnant NOD/SCID mice were compared with non-immunodeficient BALB/c mice. Intervention(s): Induction of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Main Outcome Measure(s): Flow cytometric analysis was performed to detect the percentage of cell subsets, and standard 51Cr release assay was performed to determine cytotoxicity. Result(s): The dominant subset of uNK cells in NOD/SCID mice is DX5 (CD49b)+, asialo ganglio-N-tetraosylceramide+, CD25+, CD122+, Thy-1 (CD90)hi, c-kit (CD117)hi, and interleukin-10+. In addition, the percentage of interferon-γ+ subset was slightly increased in response to selected TLR agonists in the NOD/SCID mice, whereas the corresponding percentage in BALB/c mice could be increased dramatically. Such an effect could be abrogated by inhibitors, including LY294002, SP600125, and PD98059. The significant increase of interferon-γ+ NK cell percentage in BALB/c mice was concomitant with the increase of the embryo resorption rate. In contrast, the resorption rate in NOD/SCID mice was not significantly increased upon the induction of polyinosinic polycytidylic acid or lipopolysaccharide. As expected, the NK cells from NOD/SCID mice display a detectable but lower cytotoxicity than BALB/c, as determined by standard 51Cr release assay. In addition, the uNK cells from NOD/SCID mice also display a hyposensitivity to lipopolysaccharide-induced production of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Conclusion(s): A considerable percentage of immature NK cells were detected at the fetomaternal interface in NOD/SCID mice. These cells were hyposensitive to the stimulation of selected TLR agonists. Such a status seemed to be beneficial for the maintenance of pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]