SKI306X inhibition of glycosaminoglycan degradation in human cartilage involves down-regulation of cytokine-induced catabolic genes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: SKI306X, a mixed extract of three herbs, Clematis mandshurica (CM), Prunella vulgaris (PV), and Trichosanthes kirilowii (TK), is chondroprotective in animal models of osteoarthritis (OA). The objectives of this study were to investigate its effect on interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced degradation of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and the basis of its action in human OA cartilage, as well as to screen for the presence of inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 in SKI306X and its component herbs, as well as in fractions from SKI306X. METHODS: Human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants were obtained during total knee replacements and incubated with IL-1beta +/- oncostatin M with or without SKI306X or its component herb extracts. GAG degradation was assayed in cartilage explants using a commercial kit. Expression of genes involved in cartilage destruction was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction using chondrocyte RNA. SKI306X was fractionated by preparative liquid chromatography to test for the presence of inhibitors of MMP-13 and ADAMTS-4. RESULTS: SKI306X and PV inhibited IL-1beta-induced GAG release from cartilage explants, and SKI306X, CM, PV, and TK inhibited IL-1beta-induced MMP gene expression. Unexpectedly, SKI306X greatly stimulated IL-1beta + oncostatin M-induced ADAMTS-4 gene expression, probably due to its TK component. Some fractions of SKI306X also inhibited ADAMTS-4 activity. CONCLUSIONS: SKI306X and its herbal components inhibit GAG degradation and catabolic gene expression in human OA chondrocytes and cartilage explants. SKI306X likely also contains one or more ADAMTS-4 inhibitor.

Eficacia de la asociación rituximab-vindesina en el tratamiento de un caso de púrpura trombótico-trombopénico (PTT) adquirido idiopático refractario / Successful treatment of idiopathic acquired refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with an association of rituximab - vindesine. Report of one case

We report a 23 years old female who presented a second episode of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). She was treated with fresh frozen plasma infusions and 14 plasma exchange (PE) sessions without response. Therefore a second-line therapy was started, associating a weekly cycle administration of vindesine (Vds) 2 mg/m2 and rituximab (R) 375 mg/m2. Five cycles of this association plus one cycle of R exclusively, were administered. After the third course, biological signs of improvement were observed and complete normalization of blood cell counts and other specific parameters was seen after 8 weeks. From the beginning of her second relapse we detected a severe deficit (<5%) in von Willebrand-cleaving factor (ADAMTS13) associated to the presence of ADAMTS13 inhibitors. The combined treatment induced an improvement in ADAMTS13 values without detectable inhibitors. After 21 months of follow-up the patient was well, without signs of relapse but ADAMTS13 values were still under normal, which may be an unfavorable prognostic factor. PE is the treatment of choice for acquired idiopathic TTP, but for refractory cases or TTP cases with severe ADAMTS13 values/high inhibitor titers, PE associated to an immunosuppressive treatment should be considered.