Mechanism of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Promoting Mucosal Healing in Ulcerative Colitis / 中国结合医学杂志

The latest guideline about ulcerative colitis (UC) clinical practice stresses that mucosal healing, rather than anti-inflammation, is the main target in UC clinical management. Current mucosal dysfunction mainly closely relates to the endoscopic intestinal wall (mechanical barrier) injury with the imbalance between intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) regeneration and death, as well as tight junction (TJ) dysfunction. It is suggested that biological barrier (gut microbiota), chemical barrier (mucus protein layer, MUC) and immune barrier (immune cells) all take part in the imbalance, leading to mechanical barrier injury. Lots of experimental studies reported that acupuncture and moxibustion on UC recovery by adjusting the gut microbiota, MUC and immune cells on multiple targets and pathways, which contributes to the balance of IEC regeneration and death, as well as TJ structure recovery in animals. Moreover, the validity and superiority of acupuncture and moxibustion were also demonstrated in clinic. This study aims to review the achievements of acupuncture and moxibustion on mucosal healing and analyse the underlying mechanisms.

Effects of dihydrotestosterone on the expression of anti-Müllerian hormone in primary follicular granulosa cells in rats / 解剖学报

Objective To explore how dihydrotestosterone (DHT) affects the expression of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in primary rat follicular granulosa cells, and then provides a new experimental basis for the role of DHT and AMH in follicular development. Methods Granulosa cells was extracted from the ovaries of 95 21 days SD female rats for primary culture. Firstly, cell morphology were detected by HE staining and follicke stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) immunofluorescence detected cell purity after 48 hours of cell culture. Then, cells were randomly divided into control group (without drug intervention), 10

Transplantation of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells preconditioned with ex vivo 17β-estradiol enhances healing efficacy after acute myocardial infarction / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of intravenous implanted bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPC) preconditioned with 17β-estradiol in ovariectomized mice model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>BM-EPC were cultured and identified from ovariectomized BALB/C mice tibia and femur. The ovariectomized BALB/C mice models of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were established, and randomly divided into 17β-estradiol + BM-EPC group (n = 6), BM-EPC group (n = 6) and control group (n = 6). Three days after AMI, BM-EPC pretreated with or without 17β-estradiol was infused via tail vein. The equal volume of saline was infused in control group. Twenty-five days after infusion, left ventricular (LV) function and dimensions, capillary density and ratio of fibrosis area to LV area were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>LV function and dimensions, capillary density and LV fibrosis were significantly improved in 17β-estradiol + BM-EPC group than in control group [(LVDs: (3.09 ± 0.05) mm vs. (3.27 ± 0.10)mm, P < 0.05; LVDd: (4.18 ± 0.07) mm vs. (4.31 ± 0.05) mm, P < 0.05; FS: (33.0 ± 3.8)% vs. (26.0 ± 3.2)%, P < 0.05; capillary density: (1428 ± 214)/mm² vs. (1070 ± 168)/mm², P < 0.05; ratio of fibrosis: (38.8 ± 4.9)% vs. (49.0 ± 4.6)%, P < 0.05]. However, Above mentioned parameters were similar between BM-EPC group and control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BM-EPC preconditioned with 17β-estradiol can enhance capillary density, decrease LV fibrosis and improve cardiac function in this mice model of AMI.</p>

Experimental study on mechanical properties of decellularized porcine aortic valve and effects of precoating methods of biological scaffold on histocompatibility / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the mechanical properties of decellularized porcine aortic valve, and to explore the effects of precoating methods of biological scaffold on histocompatibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fresh porcine aortic valves were decellularized using trypsin, TritonX-100 and nuclease. Treated valves were evaluated by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mechanical test. Three groups of scaffold were precoated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), poly-L-lysine (PLL) and fetal bovine serum (FBS) respectively. Myofibroblasts were seeded onto each scaffold. Light and electron microscopic observation was performed and MTT test was used to examine efficiency of cell attachment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HE stain and SEM showed that cells were almost absent in the treated leaflet. The wave-like collagen together with the whole three-dimensional structure was maintained. Compared with normal valves, the Max-load, Max-stress and elastic modulus decreased while the Max-strain increased (P<0.05). The result of MTT test showed more cells were attached on the valves treated with FBS compared to the other two groups. Histological investigations also confirm that the high degree of cell attachment on the valves precoated with FBS (F=129.26, P=0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Enzyme combined with detergent and nucleases can remove cells from porcine aortic valves. Meanwhile the mechanical properties of these valves may be altered. Precoating porcine aortic valve with FBS is an effective method to improve cell attachment, growth and increasing.</p>