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Introduction. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. The discovery of the influence of gut microbiota on mental illness opens up new research avenues for the role of gut microbiota modifiers, such as probiotics or prebiotics, as a potential course of treatment. Potential treatments have received considerable attention in recent years. Aim. The meta-analysis only included clinical controlled trials to explore whether probiotics and prebiotics can improve the overall severity of ASD symptoms in children, the severity of gastrointestinal (GI) problems and the comorbid psychopathlology in ASD. Gap statement. Although systematic reviews have been conducted in this area in the past, most of them are mixed experimental designs, and the reliability of the conclusions remains to be determined. To the best of our knowledge, no systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) has been conducted. Methodology. A meta analysis used a combination of subject terms and free words, or used keywords, titles, and abstracts to conduct in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify studies relevant to the current review. Result. The results of the meta-analysis showed that probiotics and prebiotics did not significantly improve the severity of ASD patients, GI problems and comorbid psychopathlology in ASD, and the result is contradictory to the previous literatures. Conclusion. Since there are relatively few clinical controlled trials that can be included, the results of this study still need to be further verified in the clinic. In the future, more randomized controlled studies, more research populations, and the use of more professional clinicians may provide more robust research results.

Background. Oxidative stress is an important mechanism of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Ferroptosis caused by iron overload after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion is considered a common cause of oxidative stress. Many recent studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) can regulate the expression of inflammatory factors, and the use of electroacupuncture preconditioning can produce a protective effect, which can reduce injury after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. We aimed to assess whether EA could be used to reduce oxidative stress. Methods. The oxidative stress level of rats during the acute phase of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion was assessed with and without preconditioning with EA. Molecular biology methods were used to detect iron metabolism and oxidative stress-related proteins. Results. Rats that had EA preconditioning had lower infarct volumes than rats in the control group. Furthermore, western blot analysis showed that the expression of iron metabolism-related protein FPN-1 was higher in the intervention group than in the model group after reperfusion. In this regard, further investigation also demonstrated higher expression of glutathione and glutathione peroxidase-4, and lower reactive oxygen species values in the brain tissue of the EA group were compared with those of the control group rats. Conclusions. Electroacupuncture preconditioning can reduce oxidative stress after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion by regulating iron overload.

BackgroundThe efficacy of traditional Chinese exercise (TCE)-based intervention in the improvement of motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is controversial. The present study aimed to assess the effects of TCE on balance and gait outcomes, as well as motor symptoms in individuals with PD, and evaluate potential discrete moderators such as TCE dosage-related variables.MethodPubMed, Embase, Cochrane's Library, Web of Science, Medline, and Scopus were systematically searched from their dates of inception to February 2022. All studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCE-based interventions for PD. The treatment effects were estimated using a random-effect meta-analysis model with standardized mean differences (Hedges' g). The Physiotherapy Evidence Database was used to evaluate the methodological quality of the study.ResultFifteen studies involving a total of 873 participants were included in the final analysis. The meta-analytic findings revealed significant improvements in balance outcomes [Berg Balance Scales (BBS) (g = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.37–1.29, p = 0.000, I2 = 84%), time up and go (TUG) (g = −0.80, 95% CI = −1.13– −0.47, p = 0.000, I2 = 81%), and the one legged blind balance test (g = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.13–0.86, p = 0.01, I2 = 10%)], as well as gait outcomes [gait velocity (g = 0.28, 95% CI = 0.02–0.54, p = 0.04, I2 = 64%), 6-min walking test (6MWT) (g = 0.32, 95% CI 0.01–0.62, p = 0.04, I2= 15%), stride length (g = 0.25, 95% CI = 0.08–0.41, p = 0.003, I2 = 42%)], and motor symptoms [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III) (g = −0.77, 95% CI = −1.06– −0.48, p = 0.000, I2 = 76%)]. However, cadence (g = −0.03) and step length (g = 0.02) did not differ significantly. The moderator shows that the effects of TCE on BBS and gait velocity were moderated by Pedro score, exercise type, control group type, and number of sessions. Meta-regression found that TCE (exercise duration, number of sessions, and session duration) was significantly associated with improved UPDRS-III and BBS scores.ConclusionThese findings provide evidence for the therapeutic benefits of TCE as an adjunct therapy for patients with PD. TEC dosage (high-intensity long sessions) may moderate some favorable effects.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO, identifier CRD42022314686.