Could Intrathymic Injection of Myelin Basic Protein Suppress Inflammatory Response After Co-culture of T Lymphocytes and BV-2 Microglia Cells? / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The interaction between activated microglia and T lymphocytes can yield abundant pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our previous study proved that thymus immune tolerance could alleviate the inflammatory response. This study aimed to investigate whether intrathymic injection of myelin basic protein (MBP) in mice could suppress the inflammatory response after co-culture of T lymphocytes and BV-2 microglia cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally, 72 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 24 in each): Group A: intrathymic injection of 100 μl MBP (1 mg/ml); Group B: intrathymic injection of 100 μl phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); and Group C: sham operation group. Every eight mice in each group were sacrificed to obtain the spleen at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, respectively. T lymphocytes those were extracted and purified from the spleens were then co-cultured with activated BV-2 microglia cells at a proportion of 1:2 in the medium containing MBP for 3 days. After identified the T lymphocytes by CD3, surface antigens of T lymphocytes (CD4, CD8, CD152, and CD154) and BV-2 microglia cells (CD45 and CD54) were detected by flow cytometry. The expressions of pro-inflammatory factors of BV-2 microglia cells (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]) were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the least significant difference test were used for data analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of CD152 in Group A showed an upward trend from the 3rd to 7th day, with a downward trend from the 7th to 14th day (20.12 ± 0.71%, 30.71 ± 1.14%, 13.50 ± 0.71% at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, respectively, P < 0.05). The levels of CD154 in Group A showed a downward trend from the 3rd to 7th day, with an upward trend from the 7th to 14th day (10.00 ± 0.23%, 5.28 ± 0.69%, 14.67 ± 2.71% at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, respectively, P < 0.05). The ratio of CD4+/CD8 + T in Group A showed a downward trend from the 3rd to 7th day, with the minimum at postoperative day 7, then an upward trend from the 7th to 14th day (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the levels of CD45 and CD54 in Group A were found as the same trend as the ratio of CD4+/CD8 + T (CD45: 83.39 ± 2.56%, 82.74 ± 2.09%, 87.56 ± 2.11%; CD54: 3.80 ± 0.24%, 0.94 ± 0.40%, 3.41 ± 0.33% at postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, respectively, P < 0.05). The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS in Group A were significantly lower than those in Groups B and C, and the values at postoperative day 7 were the lowest compared with those at postoperative days 3 and 14 (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between Groups B and C.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Intrathymic injection of MBP could suppress the immune reaction that might reduce the secondary immune injury of brain tissue induced by an inflammatory response.</p>

Nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone electrospinning scaffolds repair bone defects around the immediate implant / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Alveolar bone remodeling and sustained absorption due to tooth extraction seriously affect the implanting conditions and morphology of hard and soft tissue in implant zone. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone electrospinning scaffolds to improve the osteogenic effect of bone defects around immediate implants. METHODS:Tissue-engineered bone was prepared by combining canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels with nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone electrospinning scaffold. Bilateral mandibular second premolars from six dogs were extracted mandibular second premolar, and an immediate implant was placed in the mesial fossa of the mandibular second premolar. Three-wal bone defects was made buccaly using titanium nails, then tissue-engineered bone and Bio-Oss bone powders were implanted bilateraly covered by colagen membranes (Bio-Gide). Imageology examination was performed to measure bone gray levels immediately, 4, 8, 12 weeks after surgery. After 12 weeks, the mandible was removed completely, toluidine blue staining was used for observation of microstructure, new bone formation, bone morphology and implant osseointegration. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Between the two groups, there was no difference in bone mineral density at each time point after surgery, indicating that the effects of the two materials to promote bone regeneration process are basicaly the same. After implantation, the dense lamelar bone formed in the bone defect region of tissue-engineered bone group, mature bone cels, Haversian canal, and implant osseointegration were visible. While, in the Bio-Oss group, the lamelar bone was dense, a smal amount of Bio-Oss particles distributed within new bone tissues, fewer bone cels were found, a part of Haversian canal was shown to have blood capilaries, and new bone was in close conjunction with the implant. These findings indicate that the nano-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone electrospinning scaffold combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cels and Bio-Gide colagen membrane can promote the regeneration of alveolar bone around the implant.

Cardiac metallothionein overexpression improves cardiac contractile function and attenuates oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was designed to examine the impact of the antioxidant metallothionein (MT) on cardiac contractile, intracellular Ca(2+) function and oxidative stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Weight and age matched adult male FVB and cardiac-specific MT-overexpressing transgenic mice were injected intraperitoneally with 4 mg/kg Escherichia Coli LPS dissolved in sterile saline or an equivalent volume of pathogen-free saline (control groups). Six hours following LPS or saline injection, cardiac geometry and function were evaluated in anesthetized mice using the 2-D guided M-mode echocardiography. Mechanical and intracellular Ca(2+) properties were examined in hearts. Cell shortening and relengthening were assessed using the following indices: peak shortening (PS)-indicative of the amplitude a cell can shorten during contraction; maximal velocities of cell shortening and relengthening (± dl/dt)-indicative of peak ventricular contractility; time-to-PS (TPS)-indicative of systolic duration; time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90))-indicative of diastolic duration (90% rather 100% relengthening was used to avoid noisy signal at baseline concentration). The 360 nm excitation scan was repeated at the end of the protocol and qualitative changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration were inferred from the ratio of fura-2 fluorescence intensity (FFI) at two wavelengths (360/380). Fluorescence decay time was measured as an indicator of the intracellular Ca(2+) clearing rate. Glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio and ROS generation were detected as the markers of oxidative stress.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Heart rate was increased while EF was reduced in LPS-FVB mice and heart rate was reduced and EF increased in MT-LPS transgenic mice [(528 ± 72) beats/min vs (557 ± 69) beats/min, (66 ± 14)% vs (42 ± 10)%, P < 0.05]. Cardiomyocytes from the LPS treated FVB mice displayed significantly reduced peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dl/dt) associated with prolonged time-to-90% relengthening (TR(90)), these effects were attenuated in cardiomyocytes from the MT-LPS mice [PS(5 ± 1.1)% vs (7.2 ± 0.8)%, dl/dt(160 ± 15) µm/s vs (212 ± 36) µm/s, -dl/dt (175 ± 32) µm/s vs (208 ± 29) µm/s, TR(90) (0.24 ± 0.03)s vs (0.19 ± 0.02)s, P < 0.05]. LPS treated mice showed significantly reduced peak intracellular Ca(2+) and electrically-stimulated rise in intracellular Ca(2+) as well as prolonged intracellular Ca(2+) decay rate without affecting the basal intracellular Ca(2+) levels, again, these effects were significantly attenuated in MT-LPS transgenic mice. Metallothionein overexpression also ablated oxidative stress [reduced ROS generation and increased glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio, ROS (0.35 ± 0.08) A/µg protein vs (0.24 ± 0.03) A/µg protein]. GSH/GSSG 2.1 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.4, P < 0.05.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MT overexpression improved cardiac function and ablated oxidative stress in LPS treated mice.</p>

The clinical application of plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical effect of plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>12 cases with soft tissue defects of forefeet were treated by plantar medial perforator artery based reverse island medial dorsal pedal neurocutaneous vascular flaps. The flap size ranged from 3.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 5.5 cm x 8.5 cm.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>All flaps survived completely. The patients were followed up for 6 - 24 months. The texture and flexibility of the flaps were normal with no ulcer. The sensation improved with the two-point discrimination of 7 - 10 mm. The cosmetic and functional results were satisfactory. The wounds at donor site healed primarily.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The flaps have expanded size for large defects with good flexibility, thickness and texture. It is easily performed with less morbidity to main artery.</p>

Effect of Xuezhikang on cardiac function, serum C-reactive protein and blood lipid in patients with chronic heart failure / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of Xuezhikang (XZK) on cardiac function and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight CHF patients were randomly assigned to two groups, the control group (30 cases) treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, beta-receptor inhibitor, digoxin and diuretic, and the treated group (38 cases) with the above treatment plus XZK for six months. The changes of cardiac function and serum CRP level were measured by echocardiography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those before treatment, the NYHA cardiac function grade, the left ventricular dimension end diastole (LVDd), and the left ventricular dimension end systole (LVDs) decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and the ejection fraction (EF) and E/A ratio increased significantly in both groups after treatment (P < 0.05) , however, the decrement or increment was more significant in the treated group than that in the control group respectively (P < 0.05); the serum CRP level decreased significantly in the treated group after treatment and showed a level obviously lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05), which changed insignificantly after treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Xuezhikang could improve cardiac function and decrease serum CRP level at the same time.</p>

Association between serum cardiac troponin I and myocardial remodeling in patients with chronic heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and cardiac function/structure in patients with chronic heart failure.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty patients with decompensated chronic heart failure were included. The patients were divided into cTnI normal group (cTnIn; n = 80) and cTnI elevated group (cTnIe; n = 40). Systolic dimension of the left atrium (LAd), the maximal width of the left ventricle (LVd), the thickness of the interventricular septum (IVS) and posterior wall (LVPW) during diastole, left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), E and A wave velocities ratio (E/A) were determined. Bivariate correlation analysis was applied to show the correlation of serum cTnI level with above indices. Partial correlation analysis was performed followed by multivariate logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LAd and LVd dimensions were significantly higher (P < 0.05), IVS, LVPW, LVEF and E/A ratio were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in cTnIe group than in cTnIn group. Moreover, serum cTnI was positively correlated with LAd, LVd, and inversely correlated with IVS, LVPW, LVEF and E/A ratio (P < 0.05). The correlation persistent after adjusting with sex, history of heart failure, NYHA functional class and treatment. In multivariate modeling, cTnI was positively associated with LAd, LVd and the history of heart failure, and negatively related with the treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum cTnI correlated with cardiac structure and function. Intensively serum cTnI monitoring and suitable therapy strategy may be helpful to attenuate the cardiac remodeling in patients with chronic heart failure.</p>