Effects of calcium ion on the migration and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblasts / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the effect of calcium ion (Ca²⁺) on the migration and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblasts and explore the proper concentration and correlation mechanism.@*METHODS@#A series of Ca²⁺ solutions with different concentrations was prepared. Osteoblast migration was assessed by Transwell assay, and proliferation was studied via the CCK-8 colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression of osteogenic genes was examined via reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the mineralized nodule was examined by alizarin red-S method. After calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) antagonism, Ca²⁺-induced migration and osteogenic differentiation were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In the migration experiment, 2, 4, and 6 mmol·L⁻¹ Ca²⁺ could promoted osteoblast migration at three timepoints (8, 16, and 24 h), whereas 10 mmol·L⁻¹ Ca²⁺ considerably inhibited migration at 8 h. The Ca²⁺ concentration range of 2-10 mmol·L⁻¹ could promote proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of human osteoblasts. Moreover, mineralization was predominantly induced by 8 and 10 mmol·L⁻¹ Ca²⁺. CaSR antagonism could reduce Ca²⁺-induced migration and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblasts.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Low Ca²⁺ concentration favored osteoblast migration, whereas high Ca²⁺ concentration favored osteogenic differentiation. The Ca²⁺ concentrations of 4 and 6 mmol·L⁻¹ could substantially induce osteoblast migration and osteogenic differentiation, and the Ca²⁺-CaSR pathway participated in signal transduction.

The protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons of substantia in the ovariectomized rat model of Parkinson's disease / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra in ovariectomized rat model of Parkinson's disease and the possible mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Wistar female rats were ovariectomized and treated with vehicle, ginsenoside Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol intracerebroventricularly in the 6-OHDA induced rat model of Parkinson's disease. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive neurons and the protein expression of Bcl-2. Perls' iron staining was used to determine the changes of iron in substantia nigra (SN).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>910 Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could ameliorate the rat's rotational behavior induced by apomorphine. 92) Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could increase TH immunoreactive neurons in the injured side of SN compared to the 6-OHDA group. (3) Iron staining in the injured side of SN was significantly increased comparing with the contralateral side in the 6-OHDA group. Rg1 or 17-beta estradiol treatment could reverse the increase of iron staining. (4) Both Rg1 and 17-beta estradiol treatment could increase Bcl-2 protein expression in the injured side of SN compared to the 6 OHDA group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginsenoside Rg1 has estrogen-like activities and has neuroprotective effects on the dopaminergic neurons in the 6-OHDA induced ovariectomyzed(OVX) rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD). This effect may be attributed to attenuating iron overload and anti-apoptosis.</p>

Effect of Erythrina variegata on Ca2+ homeostasis in ovariectomized rats and action mechanism / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Erythrina variegata (EV) on Ca2+ homeostasis in ovariectomized rats and the regulation on gene expression in duodenum and kidney.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Four weeks after surgical operation, the ovariectomized (OVX) rats were administered orally with estradiol and EV extracts for 14 weeks. Ca level in serum and urine was measured by colorimetric methods, and gene expressions in duodenum and kidney were analyzed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>EV extracts could improve the serum Ca level and inhibite the urinary Ca excretion in OVX rats, and this might be due to the upregulation of EV on VDR mRNA expression in duodenum and CaBP-9k mRNA expression in kidney.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EV could maintain Ca homeostasis in OVX rats.</p>