ABSTRACT
Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Subject(s)
Humans , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Liver Cirrhosis/genetics , Liver/metabolism , Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Drugs, Chinese HerbalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:At present, bone substitute filling is mainly used for bone defect repair. In order to understand the effect on bone defect repair, it is necessary to look into the microstructure changes of bone defects after bone substitute implantation. Synchrotron radiation-based micro-computed-tomography (SR-μCT) can be used to make high-resolution, high-resolution three-dimensional imaging without slicing and dyeing, and has high scientific and clinical value. OBJECTIVE:To explore the feasibility of SR-μCT in micron-level bone osseointegration examination in oral medicine. METHODS:This randomized controlled animal experiment was completed at the Fifth Central Hospital of Tianjin, Tianjin, China. A rabbit model of mandibular defect was made in 24 male New Zealand white rabbits. The model rats were randomly divided into four groups and received autologous bone, Bio-oss bone meal,β-tricalcium phosphate powder and no implantation (negative control group) in the defective area, respectively. Bone samples, including the defect area and the surrounding normal bone tissue, were taken at 2, 4, 8 weeks postoperatively for SR-μCT examination, fol owed by histopathological examination, in order to observe the repairing effects of different types of bone implant materials from different angles. The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Fifth Central Hespital of Tianjin in China. The study procedures were completed in accordance with the Guidance Suggestions for the Care and Use of Experimental Animals of China and the guidelines of the National Institutes of Health, USA. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In this study, SR-μCT could be used to observe the bone microstructure and osseointegration with no damage to samples to collect accurate quantitative data, including bone volume, number of bone trabeculae and bone mineral density. Therefore, SR-μCT can fully analyze the biocompatibility of bone implant material in vivo, give insight into the micron-level changes of different types of bone implant materials in the bone defect, thereby providing experimental evidence to improve bone defect healing.
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Objective To investigate the effect of surgical treatment of adult mandibular condylar fractures (including intracapsular fracture). Methods Thirty-two patients (33 sides) with condylar fractures underwent open reduction and rigid fixation. Six patients with intracapsular condylar fractures were treated with two 18-mm positional screws through a preauricular approach. Six patients (7 sides) with condylar neck fractures were rigidly fixed by 1 mini-plate via a retromandibular transparotid approach. Twenty patients with subcondylar fractures were operated and fixed by two titanium plates using an angular approach. Results The mean follow-up period was 13.5 months, and the mean maximum mouth opening was 37.5 mm by the last visit. All patients acquired good occlusal relationship and mandibular symmetry. Seven patients (21.9%) experienced transient palsy of the branches of the facial nerve, and recovered completely after three months. One patient developed a salivary fistula, and healed after two weeks of gauze compression. No permanent deficit of any facial nerve branch was observed. No patient showed condylar head resorption. Conclusion Appropriate surgical approaches and fixation methods for different types of condylar fractures are the key factors to achieve reliable clinical results.
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Objective To summarize the clinical outcomes of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for repairing large defects in oral and maxillofacial area after resection of malignant tumor. Methods The clinical data of 27 patients underwent resection of malignant tumor in oral and maxillofacial area and reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were collected in our hospital from August 1998 to January 2015. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps were harvested with sizes ranging from 6 cm × 4 cm to 11 cm × 9 cm. The major myocutaneous flaps were used to reconstruct the defects of oral mucosa in 26 cases, and flap was used to reconstruct the defect of facial skin in 1 case. Seventeen major myocutaneous flaps reached the neck via the subclavicular tunnel, the other 10 were transferred over the clavicle. Results After surgery, 20 flaps (74.1%) were survived completely, 6 were partial necrosis (22.2%) and one was total necrosis (3.7%). Thirteen cases showed postoperative complications (48.1%), in which 10 cases were wound infection (37.0%), including 8 patients with infection at the recipient site and 2 patients with infection at the donor site. The wound infection was found in all of 7 patients with flap necrosis. The other complications included wound dehiscence in 1 patient (3.7%), neck hematoma in 1 patient (3.7%), and lung infection in 1 patient (3.7%). Conclusion In order to avoid the flap necrosis and reduce wound infection at the recipient site, the major myocutaneous flap should be designed based on the characteristics of blood supply, and the vascular pedicle should be protected carefully in the operation.