ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects and related mechanisms of total flavone of epimedium treatment(TFE)on primary callus for mation in ovariectomized rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats weighted from 209 to 246 g and aged 6 to 8 weeks were selected. Six weeks after ovariectomy a femur fracture model with middiaphyseal segment fracture was established, estimated and randomly divided into TFE group (150 mg·kg⁻¹·d⁻¹) and control group(received saline). HE staining was used to evaluate the morphologic difference of primary callus during the bone callus healing between these two groups. The relative expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2) mRNA in the callus was identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemical technique was used to observe the Casein kinase 2-interacting protein 1(CKIP-1) protein level in the callus of the two groups. Maximum fracture load was tested by three point bend test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The BMD, primary callus volume, trabecular member(Tb.N) and trabecular thickness(Tb.Th) were higher in TFE group than that in control group(<0.001). The Tb.N and Tb.Th of primary callus were higher in TFE group than control group (=0.001). The volume and bone volume/tissue volume of primary callus were in TFE group than control group(<0.01). The trabecular separation(Tb.Sp) of primary callus were in control group higher than TFE group(<0.01). The HE staining of the 6 week slices showed that the degree of cartilage ossification in callus of the TFE group was significantly higher than that in control group under high magnification. Real-time PCR revealed that the comparative expression of Runx2 mRNA in control group was higher than that in TFE group(<0.001); the positive number of CKIP-1 was less in TFE group than that in control group (<0.001). TFE could increase the maximum load of the primary callus (<0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TFE can promote the cartiage ossification of callus in ovariectomized rats, enhancing the bone strength and bone quality in the process of fracture healing via the CKIP-1/Runx2 pathway.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the serum protein targets of Qianggu Decoction (, QGD) on treating osteoporosis by the proteomics analysis using tandem mass tag (TMT) and liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty serum protein samples were recruited (10 patients with primary type I osteoporosis before and after QGD treatment) and the high abundance ratios protein was removed, two serum samples were extracted and labeled with TMT reagent. Then, mass spectrometric detection, identification of differentially expressed proteins and bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins were carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 60 proteins were identified, within a 99% confidence interval, to be differentially regulated of which, 34 proteins were up-regulated and 26 proteins were down-regulated. Differentially expressed proteins analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) annotation mainly get involved in 12 different biological processes, 7 types of cellular components, and 6 kinds of molecular functions. Angiotensinogen (AGT), stromelysin-1 (MMP3), heparanase (HPSE) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were screened as candidate protein targets of QGD treatment, which were related to metabolic mechanism of bone remodeling and/or bone collagen of osteoporosis. By the utilization of the protein-protein interaction network analysis tool named STRING10.0, it showed that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were located in the key node of the protein-protein interactions network. Furthermore, AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were found to be directly related to BMP, MAPK, Wnt, SMAD and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11) families.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The proteomics analysis by using TMT combined with LC-MS/MS was a feasible method for screening the potential therapeutic targets associated with QGD treatment. It suggests that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH may be candidate protein targets of QGD treatment which can be used as therapeutic effect monitor and early diagnosis of primary type I osteoporosis.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of paraquat (PQ) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and neutrophil apoptosis and its possible signal transduction pathways.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured neutrophils were treated with different concentrations of PQ for 6-24 h. The apoptosis rate of neutrophils and ROS content were determined by flow cytometry. The exoressions of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and Caspase 3 were detected by Western blot. These parameters were checked again after NF-κB and Caspase 3 antagonist were applied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PQ could boost ROS generation and depress neutrophil apoptosis significantly. At the same time PQ could enhance the expression of NF-κB and inhibit the expression of Caspase 3. These effects could be reversed by ROS inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and NF-κB inhibitor pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PQ is a potent inducer of ROS and can inhibit neutrophil apoptosis by activating NF-κB and surpressing Caspase 3 activity.</p>