An update on renal fibrosis: from mechanisms to therapeutic strategies with a focus on extracellular vesicles

The increasing prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global public health concern. Despite the complicated pathogenesis of CKD, renal fibrosis represents the most common pathological condition, comprised of progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the diseased kidney. Over the last several decades, tremendous progress in understanding the mechanism of renal fibrosis has been achieved, and corresponding potential therapeutic strategies targeting fibrosis-related signaling pathways are emerging. Importantly, extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute significantly to renal inflammation and fibrosis by mediating cellular communication. Increasing evidence suggests the potential of EV-based therapy in renal inflammation and fibrosis, which may represent a future direction for CKD therapy.

Estradiol Profiles During the Luteal Phase in Patients Undergoing IVF-ET Cycles / 现代生物医学进展

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of serum E2 in early diagnosis of pregnancy through IVF-ET(in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer). Methods: Sixty-two patients (75 cycles involved) undergoing IVF-ET cycles, whose infertility was attributed to uterine tube or male factors, were enrolled. Luteal phase serum E2 was detected every other day after extraction of oocytes with micro-particle enzyme immunoassay. Results: The level of serum E2 declined progressively after extraction of oocytes in both pregnant and non-pregnant cycles, while it showed no significant difference on 2, 4, 6, 8 days after extraction of oocytes. In pregnant cycles following IVF-ET, serum E2 achieved the nadir on day 10 and then increased gradually. The differences of serum E2 levels in pregnant and non-pregnant cycles were detectable from day 10 after extraction of oocytes (816.4+ 537.6 vs. 189.5±69.3 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). In non-pregnant cycles, E2 on day 10 was significantly lower than that on day 8 ( 189.5+ 69.3 vs. 989.2+581.5 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that the level of E2 on day 8 and 10 consecutively after extraction of oocytes may have predictive value in diagnosing early pregnancy. Ascension of serum E2 level of pregnant patients on day 10 forebodes the success of pregnancy, or else the failure of pregnancy.

Estradiol Profiles During the Luteal Phase in Patients Undergoing IVF-ET Cycles / 现代生物医学进展

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of serum E2 in early diagnosis of pregnancy through IVF-ET(in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer). Methods: Sixty-two patients (75 cycles involved) undergoing IVF-ET cycles, whose infertility was attributed to uterine tube or male factors, were enrolled. Luteal phase serum E2 was detected every other day after extraction of oocytes with micro-particle enzyme immunoassay. Results: The level of serum E2 declined progressively after extraction of oocytes in both pregnant and non-pregnant cycles, while it showed no significant difference on 2, 4, 6, 8 days after extraction of oocytes. In pregnant cycles following IVF-ET, serum E2 achieved the nadir on day 10 and then increased gradually. The differences of serum E2 levels in pregnant and non-pregnant cycles were detectable from day 10 after extraction of oocytes (816.4+ 537.6 vs. 189.5±69.3 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). In non-pregnant cycles, E2 on day 10 was significantly lower than that on day 8 ( 189.5+ 69.3 vs. 989.2+581.5 pg/ml) (P＜0.05). Conclusions: We concluded that the level of E2 on day 8 and 10 consecutively after extraction of oocytes may have predictive value in diagnosing early pregnancy. Ascension of serum E2 level of pregnant patients on day 10 forebodes the success of pregnancy, or else the failure of pregnancy.

The relationship between the implantation of ovarian stimulated embryos and the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor mRNA in mice metrium / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To check the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) mRNA, and to study the impact of ovarian stimulation on the ability of embryo implantation in mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pregnancy models of mice were established. The relationship between the implantation of ovarian stimulated embryos and the expression of Lif mRNA in mice metrium was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The group of recipients which the transfered embryos were from stimulated cycles had lower pregnancy and implantation rate compared with the group of recipients which the transfered embryos were from non-stimulated cycles (20.00%, 8.33% vs 55.00%, 35.00%). The Lif mRNA expression was similar in the groups of recipients which the transfered embryos were from stimulated and non-stimulated cycles, so was in the groups of recipients which had single or more than one baby, but higher in the group of pregnancy recipients than in the group of unpregnancy recipients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ovarian stimulation may reduce the ability of embryo implantation in mice. Lif mRNA expression is related to the implantation, but not parallel to the number of implantation.</p>

Association of genetic polymorphisms in endothelial nitric oxide synthase 3 gene with recurrent early spontaneous abortion / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the association of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) gene variable number of tandem repeat(VNTR) polymorphism in intron 4 and an 894(G/T) mutation at exon 7 with recurrent early spontaneous abortion (RESA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and forty RESA women (patient group) and 140 healthy women with at least 1 pregnancy and without a history of pregnancy complications (control group) were included. The genotypes of NOS3 gene VNTR polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction and agarose gel electrophoresis. The 894(G/T) mutation of genotypes of NOS3 gene at exon 7 was assessed by polymerase chain reaction-restrictive fragment length polymorphism.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of aa and ba genotypes and a allele of NOS3 gene were higher in patient group than in control group (chi square: 4.51, P< 0.05; chi square: 4.29, P<0.05). The aa and ba genotypes were significantly associated with RESA (OR:1.8, 95% CI: 1.04-3.24). There was no significant difference in TT and GT genotypes and T allele of NOS3 gene between RESA patient group and control group (chi square: 1.16, P> 0.05; chi square:1.12, P> 0.05). 894(G/T) polymorphism may be not associated with RESA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The genetic polymorphism of NOS3 gene 27 bp VNTR was associated with RESA. The genetic polymorphism of NOS3 gene 894(G/T) may be not associated with RESA. These results support that a allele of the NOS3 gene may be susceptibility allele.</p>