Thermosensitive heparin‐poloxamer hydrogel encapsulated bFGF and NGF to treat spinal cord injury

The application of growth factors (GFs) for treating chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) has been shown to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery. However, direct administration of GFs is limited by their rapid degradation and dilution at the injured sites. Moreover, SCI recovery is a multifactorial process that requires multiple GFs to participate in tissue regeneration. Based on these facts, controlled delivery of multiple growth factors (GFs) to lesion areas is becoming an attractive strategy for repairing SCI. Presently, we developed a GFs‐based delivery system (called GFs‐HP) that consisted of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and heparin‐poloxamer (HP) hydrogel through self‐assembly mode. This GFs‐HP was a kind of thermosensitive hydrogel that was suitable for orthotopic administration in vivo. Meanwhile, a 3D porous structure of this hydrogel is commonly used to load large amounts of GFs. After single injection of GFs‐HP into the lesioned spinal cord, the sustained release of NGF and bFGF from HP could significantly improve neuronal survival, axon regeneration, reactive astrogliosis suppression and locomotor recovery, when compared with the treatment of free GFs or HP. Moreover, we also revealed that these neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of GFs‐HP were likely through activating the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase and protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signalling pathways. Overall, our work will provide an effective therapeutic strategy for SCI repair.     

IL‐17A‐producing T cells exacerbate fine particulate matter‐induced lung inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR‐mediated autophagy

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is the primary air pollutant that is able to induce airway injury. Compelling evidence has shown the involvement of IL‐17A in lung injury, while its contribution to PM2.5‐induced lung injury remains largely unknown. Here, we probed into the possible role of IL‐17A in mouse models of PM2.5‐induced lung injury. Mice were instilled with PM2.5 to construct a lung injury model. Flow cytometry was carried out to isolate γδT and Th17 cells. ELISA was adopted to detect the expression of inflammatory factors in the supernatant of lavage fluid. Primary bronchial epithelial cells (mBECs) were extracted, and the expression of TGF signalling pathway‐, autophagy‐ and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway‐related proteins in mBECs was detected by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot analysis. The mitochondrial function was also evaluated. PM2.5 aggravated the inflammatory response through enhancing the secretion of IL‐17A by γδT/Th17 cells. Meanwhile, PM2.5 activated the TGF signalling pathway and induced EMT progression in bronchial epithelial cells, thereby contributing to pulmonary fibrosis. Besides, PM2.5 suppressed autophagy of bronchial epithelial cells by up‐regulating IL‐17A, which in turn activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Furthermore, IL‐17A impaired the energy metabolism of airway epithelial cells in the PM2.5‐induced models. This study suggested that PM2.5 could inhibit autophagy of bronchial epithelial cells and promote pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis by inducing the secretion of IL‐17A in γδT and Th17 cells and regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.     

Down‐regulation of Suv39h1 attenuates neointima formation after carotid artery injury in diabetic rats

Patients with diabetes have an increased risk of vascular complications. Suv39h1, a histone methyltransferase, plays a protective role against myocardial injury in diabetes. Herein, we intend to explore whether Suv39h1 could affect neointimal formation after vascular injury in diabetic rats and reveal the underlying mechanism. In this study, we generated adenovirus expressing Suv39h1 as well as lentivirus expressing Suv39h1‐targeting shRNA and evaluated the significance of Suv39h1 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under diabetic conditions. In vitro, we examined proliferative and migratory behaviours as well as the underlying signalling mechanisms in VSMCs in response to high glucose treatment. In vivo, we induced diabetes in SD rats with streptozocin and established the common carotid artery balloon injury model. Suv39h1 was found to be both necessary and sufficient to promote VSMC proliferation and migration under high glucose conditions. We observed corresponding changes in intracellular signalling molecules including complement C3 and phosphor‐ERK1/2. However, either up‐regulating or down‐regulating Suv39h1, phosphor‐p38 level was not significantly affected. Consistently, Suv39h1 overexpression led to accelerated neointima formation, while knocking down Suv39h1 reduced it following carotid artery injury in diabetic rats. Using microarray analyses, we showed that altering the Suv39h1 level in vivo dramatically altered the expression of myriad genes mediating different biological processes and molecular function. This study reveals the novel role of Suv39h1 in VSMCs of diabetes and suggests its potential role as a therapeutic target in diabetic vascular injury.     

Polydatin promotes the neuronal differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and in vivo: Involvement of Nrf2 signalling pathway

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation represents a promising repair strategy following spinal cord injury (SCI), although the therapeutic effects are minimal due to their limited neural differentiation potential. Polydatin (PD), a key component of the Chinese herb Polygonum cuspidatum, exerts significant neuroprotective effects in various central nervous system disorders and protects BMSCs against oxidative injury. However, the effect of PD on the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs, and the underlying mechanisms remain inadequately understood. In this study, we induced neuronal differentiation of BMSCs in the presence of PD, and analysed the Nrf2 signalling and neuronal differentiation markers using routine molecular assays. We also established an in vivo model of SCI and assessed the locomotor function of the mice through hindlimb movements and electrophysiological measurements. Finally, tissue regeneration was evaluated by H&E staining, Nissl staining and transmission electron microscopy. PD (30 μmol/L) markedly facilitated BMSC differentiation into neuron‐like cells by activating the Nrf2 pathway and increased the expression of neuronal markers in the transplanted BMSCs at the injured spinal cord sites. Furthermore, compared with either monotherapy, the combination of PD and BMSC transplantation promoted axonal rehabilitation, attenuated glial scar formation and promoted axonal generation across the glial scar, thereby enhancing recovery of hindlimb locomotor function. Taken together, PD augments the neuronal differentiation of BMSCs via Nrf2 activation and improves functional recovery, indicating a promising new therapeutic approach against SCI.     

Cardioprotective effect of isorhamnetin against myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in isolated rat heart through attenuation of apoptosis

In this study, we investigated the effects of isorhamnetin on myocardial ischaemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. Isorhamnetin treatment (5, 10 and 20 μg/mL) significantly alleviated cardiac morphological injury, reduced myocardial infarct size, decreased the levels of marker enzymes (LDH and CK) and improved the haemodynamic parameters, reflected by the elevated levels of the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), coronary flow (CF) and the maximum up/down velocity of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dt_max). Moreover, isorhamnetin reperfusion inhibited apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in the rats subjected to cardiac I/R in a dose-dependent manner concomitant with decreased protein expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3, as well as increased protein expression of Bcl-2. In addition, I/R-induced oxidative stress was manifestly mitigated by isorhamnetin treatment, as showed by the decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and increased antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). These results indicated that isorhamnetin exerts a protective effect against I/R-induced myocardial injury through the attenuation of apoptosis and oxidative stress.     

MT2A对脂多糖介导的人肺毛细血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的:探索不同浓度的金属硫蛋2A(Metallothionein 2A, MT2A)对脂多糖(Lipopolysaccharid, LPS)介导的人肺微血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用。方法:培养人肺毛细血管内皮细胞株(Human lung microvascular endothelial cells, HPMVECs),经过一定浓度LPS溶液进行刺激后,利用不同浓度的MT2A与对照组共同培养,一段时间后观察炎性介质IL-6、TNF-α释放的量及荧光显微镜观察组HPMVECs骨架形态变化。结果:各组TNF-α浓度均在0 h最低,随之逐渐升高,到6 h达到高峰;从各时间点来看,除0 h各组TNF-α浓度无显著差异外(F=0.717, P=0.549),其余各时间点B1、B2、B3均显著高于A组(均P0.05)。各组中IL-6浓度均在0 h最低,A组在2 h达到高峰,随后逐渐下降;B1组在4 h达到高峰,随之下降;B2、B3组从0 h开始逐渐升高,到6 h达到峰值;从各时间点来看,除0 h各处理因素无显著差异外(F=2.341, P=0.092),其余各时间点B1、B2、B3均低于A组(均P0.05)。A组6 h小时后纤维状肌动蛋白(F-actin)明显解聚,分布明显减少,应力纤维排列紊乱或者消失;B1组、B2组、B3组6 h小时后,与A组相比,F-actin的分布明显较多,应力纤维排列较为整齐。结论:LPS刺激人肺毛细血管内皮细胞有明显损伤效应,加入MT2A后细胞相关炎性因子释放量、细胞骨架损伤情况明显减轻,表明一定浓度的MT2A对LPS介导的肺毛细血管损伤有明显保护作用。     

阻断趋化因子CXCL10对脑缺血再灌注损伤及神经炎症的影响

目的:探讨趋化因子CXCL10在脑缺血再灌注损伤中对神经炎症的影响。方法:(1)线栓法建立脑缺血再灌注损伤大鼠模型,TTC染色检测梗死面积,Western blot检测CXCL10的表达;(2)建立小鼠神经瘤母细胞N2a氧糖剥夺/复氧(oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation,OGD/R)模型,通过CXCR3拮抗剂-NBI 74330阻断趋化因子CXCL10表达,Western blot检测CXCL10和CXCR3蛋白的表达;Real-time PCR检测CXCL10、CXCR3以及神经炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-2 m RNA的表达。结果:(1)脑缺血再灌注(cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury,CIRI)模型大鼠脑梗死侧CXCR10的表达量显著高于其对侧和假手术组(P<0.05);(2)阻断CXCL10使得小鼠神经瘤母细胞N2a中CXCL10、CXCR3以及炎症因子TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-2的表达量均显著降低(P<0.05);(3)阻断CXCL10使得小鼠神经瘤母细胞细胞凋亡率降低(P<0.05)。结论:抑制CXCL10降低了氧糖剥夺模型细胞炎症因子的表达,表明阻断CXCL10可能通过减轻神经炎症在脑缺血再灌注损伤中发挥保护作用。     

不同剂量舒芬太尼对心脏瓣膜置换术患者应激反应、炎性因子及心肌损伤的影响

目的:探讨不同剂量舒芬太尼对心脏瓣膜置换术患者应激反应、炎性因子及心肌损伤的影响。方法:根据随机数字表法将100例行心脏瓣膜置换术的患者分为低剂量组(n=33,舒芬太尼剂量为1.0μg/kg)、中剂量组(n=33,舒芬太尼剂量为1.5μg/kg)以及高剂量组(n=34,舒芬太尼剂量为2.0μg/kg),比较三组患者应激反应、炎性因子、心肌损伤等指标的变化以及围术期指标情况。结果:中剂量组、高剂量组麻醉诱导后(T1)、插管后1 min(T2)、插管后5 min(T3)、插管后10 min(T4)时间点心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)均低于低剂量组同时间点,且高剂量组低于中剂量组(P<0.05)。与低剂量组比较,中剂量组、高剂量组阻断后30 min(T6)、开主动脉后2h(T7)以及术后1d(T8)时间点白介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)均降低(P<0.05)。与低剂量组比较,中剂量组、高剂量组体外循环停机2h(T9)、体外循环停机8h(T10)、体外循环停机24h(T11)、体外循环停机48h(T12)时间点心肌肌钙蛋白I(cTnI)、肌酸磷酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)均降低(P<0.05)。低剂量组、中剂量组重症监护室(ICU)滞留时间、拔管时间显著短于高剂量组(P<0.05),而三组心血管不良事件发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:给予1.0μg/kg舒芬太尼麻醉的患者应激反应小,1.5μg/kg、2.0μg/kg舒芬太尼可更好地控制心脏瓣膜置换术患者炎性反应,同时对患者心肌损伤有一定的保护作用,但2.0μg/kg舒芬太尼会延长患者ICU滞留时间、拔管时间。     

关节镜联合富血小板血浆对膝关节半月板损伤患者膝关节功能和生活质量的影响

目的:探讨关节镜联合富血小板血浆对膝关节半月板损伤患者膝关节功能和生活质量的影响。方法:选取2017年12月-2019年9月期间我院收治的膝关节半月板损伤患者80例,根据随机数字表法分为对照组(n=40)和研究组(n=40),对照组予以关节镜下修整手术治疗,研究组在对照组基础上联合富血小板血浆治疗,比较两组患者优良率、生活质量及视觉模拟评分量表(VAS)、Lysholm评分量表、美国西安大略和麦克马斯特大学关节炎指数(WOMAC)评分。记录两组治疗期间不良反应情况。结果:研究组治疗后3个月的膝关节功能优良率高于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗前、治疗后1个月、治疗后3个月VAS、WOMAC评分均逐步降低,Lysholm评分逐步升高(P0.05);研究组治疗后1个月、治疗后3个月VAS、WOMAC评分低于对照组,Lysholm评分高于对照组(P0.05)。两组治疗后3个月SF-36各维度评分均较治疗前升高,且研究组高于对照组(P0.05)。两组不良反应发生率对比未见统计学差异(P0.05)。结论:关节镜联合富血小板血浆治疗膝关节半月板损伤患者,可促进膝关节功能的恢复,可有效缓解手术治疗后的疼痛症状,改善患者生活质量,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠炎性因子及氧化应激反应的影响

目的:研究辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠炎性因子及氧化应激反应的影响。方法:选取60只清洁级SD大鼠,将其按照随机抽签法分成正常组、盐水组以及辛伐他汀组,每组各20只。盐水组与辛伐他汀组大鼠均制备发烟罐烟雾吸入性肺损伤模型,建模成功后30 min,辛伐他汀组大鼠予以50 mg/kg剂量的辛伐他汀灌胃,盐水组则予以等量的生理盐水灌胃,正常大鼠予以正常饲养处理。采用酶联免疫法检测血清、肺泡灌洗液中炎症因子[包括白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)]及氧化应激反应指标[包括超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)]水平。结果:盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中IL-6、TNF-α水平均高于正常组,且辛伐他汀组大鼠上述各项指标低于盐水组(均P<0.05)。盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中SOD水平低于正常组,辛伐他汀组明显高于盐水组(均P<0.05),盐水组、辛伐他汀组大鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液中MDA水平高于正常组,辛伐他汀组明显低于盐水组(均P<0.05)。结论:辛伐他汀对烟雾吸入性肺损伤大鼠的炎性因子具有明显的改善作用,且有利于减轻大鼠的氧化应激反应程度。