Mitochondrial transfer mechanism of stem cells for therapy of lung injury / 中华危重病急救医学

Stem cells transfer normal functional mitochondria to injured lung cells and reconstruct their function, which is one of the important mechanisms of stem cells in the treatment of lung injury. Mitochondrial translocation is mediated by intercellular gap junction (GJCs), which is unidirectional. This paper reviewed the research of stem cells for the treatment of lung injury mitochondrial transfer mechanism, to understand the clinical significance of lung mitochondria in physiological and pathological roles of mitochondria and transfer mechanisms of stem cells for the treatment of various types of lung injury.

Protection of Ginkgo-Diyidamolum Injection on Rat Myocardial Cells Injured by Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of ginkgo-diyidamolum injection on rat myocardial cells injured by oxygen- glucose deprivation. METHODS: The model of oxygen-glucose deprivation in rat myocardial cells was established. The cells were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, oxygen-glucose deprivation group, different ginkgo-diyidamolum injection dosage groups(0.28, 0.84, 1.40 mg•mL-1). The effects of ginkgo-diyidamolum injection on NO level, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, changes in the concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated. Cells apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The gene transcription level of myocardial cell gap junction protein 43 (Cx43) was monitored by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Compared with oxygen-glucose deprivation group, ginkgo-diyidamolum injection could reduce the content of intracellular NO, MDA, LDH and enhance the activity of SOD. Ginkgo-diyidamolum injection high dose and middle dose groups obviously improved the myocardial cell morphology, inhibited cell apoptosis and Cx43 gene in myocardial cells. CONCLUSION: Ginkgodiyidamolum injection has a strong protective effect when myocardial cells injured by oxygen-glucose deprivation, which is related to the antioxidant effect, inhibition of cell apoptosis, and maintaining the role of myocardial gap junction channel.

Spinal Gap Junction Channels in Neuropathic Pain

Damage to peripheral nerves or the spinal cord is often accompanied by neuropathic pain, which is a complex, chronic pain state. Increasing evidence indicates that alterations in the expression and activity of gap junction channels in the spinal cord are involved in the development of neuropathic pain. Thus, this review briefly summarizes evidence that regulation of the expression, coupling, and activity of spinal gap junction channels modulates pain signals in neuropathic pain states induced by peripheral nerve or spinal cord injury. We particularly focus on connexin 43 and pannexin 1 because their regulation vastly attenuates symptoms of neuropathic pain. We hope that the study of gap junction channels eventually leads to the development of a suitable treatment tool for patients with neuropathic pain.

Physiological Roles and Properties of Ion Channels in Corporal Smooth Muscle / 대한남성과학회지

Decreased penile vascular resistance induced by corporal smooth muscle relaxation is the most important step in penile erection. The heightened tone of the corporal smooth muscles is considered a major cause in impotence. Modulation of corporal smooth muscle tone is a complex process requiring the integration of a host of intracellular events and extracellular signals. In intracellular events of corporal smooth muscle cell, the potassium channels and calcium channels play a major role. Functionally, potassium channels are important regulators of smooth muscle membrane potential in response to depolarizing stimuli and they counteract calcium channels. Potassium channels have been shown to play a fundamental role in both the physiologic and pathophysiologic regulation of smooth muscle tone in diverse tissues. Among the several subtypes of potassium channels, the calcium-sensitive potassium channel subtypes (KCa channel) and ATP-dependent potassium channel subtypes (KATP channel) are thought to be the most physiologically relevant in human corporal smooth muscle. With respect to intercellular communication, gap junction channels (connexin 43) are important in corporal smooth muscle cells. Thanks to gap junction channels, the signal of one cell can be spread to adjacent cells and coordination of corporal tissue response is possible. This report reviews the known details concerning junctional and nonjunctional ion channels in corporal smooth muscle and suggest the possibility of gene therapy targeting ion channels for erectile dysfunction