Oxidative stress induces autophagy to inhibit the proliferation and apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of H2O2-induced oxidative stress on autophagy and apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Methods hBMSCs were isolated and cultured. The cells were divided into control group, 3-MA group, H2O2 group, H2O2 combined with 3-MA group. DCFH-DA staining was used to analyze the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). hBMSCs were treated with 0, 50, 100, 200, 400 μmol/L H2O2, and then the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay. The level of autophagy was detected by monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and LysoTracker Red staining. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of beclin 1, mTOR, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), cleaved caspase-3(c-caspase-3) and caspase-3 proteins. Results Compared with the control group and 3-MA group, ROS level and autophagosomes were increased and the proliferation and apoptosis were decreased in H2O2 group. The protein expression of beclin 1, mTOR, c-caspase-3 was up-regulated, while the p-mTOR was down-regulated. Compared with the 3-MA group, the H2O2 combined with 3-MA group also had an increased ROS level and autophagosomes, but not with significantly increased apoptosis rate; The protein expression of beclin 1, mTOR, c-caspase-3 was up-regulated, and the p-mTOR was down-regulated. Conclusion H2O2 can induce hMSCs to trigger oxidative stress response. It enhances the autophagy and inhibits the proliferation and apoptosis of hBMSCs.

Therapeutic Effect of Oral Use and External Washing with Chinese Medicine for Knee Osteoarthritis with Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of oral use of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) and steam washing with Shujin Waixi Granules for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with kidney deficiency and blood stasis. Methods One hundred and twenty KOA patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis were divided into western medicine group, combination group and BHR group, 40 cases in each group. Western medicine group was treated with oral use of Diclofenac Sodium Sustained-release Tablets, combination group was treated with oral use of BHR and steam washing with Shujin Waixi Granules, and BHR group was given BHR orally alone. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and knee osteoarthritis severity index (ISOA) were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of patients after treatment for 4 weeks. Results (1) After treatment, the scores of WOMAC osteoarthritis index and ISOA in the three groups were decreased(P< 0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the decrease in the combination group was superior to that in the western medicine group and BHR group(P< 0.05).(2) After treatment for 4 weeks, the total effective rate of western medicine group, combination group and BHR group was 82.5％, 95.0％, 80.0％ respectively, and the combination group had the strongest effect (P < 0.05). Conclusion Oral use of BHR combined with steam washing with Shujin Waixi Granules is effective for the treatment of KOA patients with kidney deficiency and blood stasis by relieving local pain and improving knee joint function.

Clinical Efficacy of Qingre Liangxue Recipe for Treatment of Gouty Arthritis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Qingre Liangxue Recipe (QLR), a herbal prescription with the actions of clearing heat and cooling blood, for the treatment of gouty arthritis. Methods Sixty-five cases of gouty arthritis patients were randomly divided into treatment group (N=32) and control group (N=33). Both groups were given oral use of colchicine during the acute stage and being suspended when the pain was relieved, and then were given oral use of allopurinol tablets during the remission stage. Additionally, the treatment group was given oral use of QLR all through the acute stage and remission stage. The treatment lasted for 4 weeks in both groups. After treatment, clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. The number of acute relapse cases and the changes of blood uric acid level were observed. Results At the end of the first treatment week, the treatment group had a total effective rate of 96.9%, significantly higher than that (81.8%) of the control group. At the end of the fourth treatment week, the treatment group had a total effective rate of 100.0%, significantly higher than that (90.9%) of the control group. The treatment group had better therapeutic effect than the control group at the end of the first or the fourth treatment week, the difference being significant ( P<0.01). The number of acute relapse cases and the serum uric acid level were lower in the treatment group than those in the control group during 4 treatment weeks or 12 weeks after treatment suspension, the difference being significant ( P<0.01). Conclusion QLR combined with anti-gout medicines can effectively relieve symptoms of gouty arthritis, reduce incidence of acute relapse, and have long-term effect on lowering blood uric acid level.