Electro-acupuncture modulated miR-214 expression to prevent chondrocyte apoptosis and reduce pain by targeting BAX and TRPV4 in osteoarthritis rats

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent joint disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, synovial inflammation, and meniscal damage. Although the etiology of OA is multifactorial, pro-inflammatory processes appear to play a key role in disease pathogenesis. Previous studies indicate that electroacupuncture (EA) exerts chondroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects in preclinical models of OA, but the mechanisms underlying these potential therapeutic benefits remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EA on OA development in a rat model, as well as to explore associated molecular mechanisms modulated by EA treatment. Forty rats were divided into OA, EA, antagomiR-214, and control groups. Following intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate to induce OA, EA and antagomiR-214 groups received daily EA stimulation at acupoints around the knee joint for 21 days. Functional pain behaviors and chondrocyte apoptosis were assessed as outcome measures. The expression of microRNA-214 (miR-214) and its downstream targets involved in apoptosis and nociception, BAX and TRPV4, were examined. Results demonstrated that EA treatment upregulated miR-214 expression in OA knee cartilage. By suppressing pro-apoptotic BAX and pro-nociceptive TRPV4, this EA-induced miR-214 upregulation ameliorated articular pain and prevented chondrocyte apoptosis. These findings suggested that miR-214 plays a key role mediating EA's therapeutic effects in OA pathophysiology, and represents a promising OA treatment target for modulation by acupuncture.

Transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator for the treatment of long bone defect after tibial traumatic / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficacy of the application of transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator for the treatment of traumatic large bone defects of the tibia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2002 to 2011,17 cases of traumatic tibial long bone defect were treated by transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator including 11 males and 6 females with an average age of (31.00+/-2.35) years old ranging from 22 to 45 years. The length of defect was from 5 to 13.1 cm with an average of (7.50+/-1.01) cm. The fixed time,bone healing time and the extend length of the affected limb were observed, and the degree of recovery of limb function after surgery were assessed ccording to the Paley's limb function evaluation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of (30.00+/-2.35) months, the bone defects of 17 patients achieved bone healing. The average bone healing time was (10.10+/-0.59) months (8 to 15 months); the average time of fixed time was (14.10+/-0.65) months (12 to 16 months); the average extend length of the affected limb was (7.50+/-1.01) cm. The results of Paley's functional evaluation was excellent in 9 cases,good in 6,fair in 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Transosseous osteosynthesis with annular external fixator is an effective method for treatment of large bone defects of the tibia. It is successful reconstruction of limb length, simple operation, less soft tissue injury,and is clinical worthy of promotion.</p>

Properties of deproteinized bone for reparation of big segmental defect in long bone / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore suitable scaffold material for big segmental long bone defect by studying the properties of the prepared deproteinized bone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cancellated bone were made as 30 mm x mm x 3 mm bone blocks from inferior extremity of pig femur along bone trabecula. The deproteinized bone was prepared with an improved method. Their morphological features, components, cell compatibility, mechanical and immunological properties were investigated respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Deproteinized bone maintained natural reticular pore system. The main organic material is collagen I and inorganic composition is hydroxyapatite. It has good mechanical properties, cell adhesion rate and histocompatibility.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This deproteinized bone can be applicable as scaffold for reparation of big segmental defect in long bone.</p>