Treatment of bone-cartilage defects with dual-layer tissue-engineered scaffolds loaded with icariin and quercetin.

Over the past few decades, significant research has been conducted on tissue-engineered constructs for cartilage repair. However, there is a growing interest in addressing subchondral bone repair along with cartilage regeneration. This study focuses on a bilayer tissue engineering scaffold loaded with icariin (ICA) and quercetin (QU) for simultaneous treatment of knee joint cartilage and subchondral bone defects. The cytotoxicity of dual-layer scaffolds loaded with ICA and QU was assessed through live/dead cell staining. Subsequently, these dual-layer scaffolds loaded with ICA and QU were implanted into cartilage and subchondral bone defects in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The repair effects were evaluated through macroscopic observation, computed tomography, and immunohistochemistry. After 12 weeks of implantation of dual-layer scaffolds loaded with ICA and QU into the cartilage and bone defects of SD rats, better repair effects were observed in both cartilage and bone defects compared to the blank control group. We found that the dual-layer tissue-engineered scaffold loaded with ICA and QU had excellent biocompatibility and could effectively repair articular cartilage and subchondral bone injuries, showing promising prospects for clinical applications.

[Research progress on long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in osteoarthritis].

Osteoarthritis(OA) is a common clinical disease. The incidence of OA increases significantly with age, and the quality of life of patients is seriously affected. In the pathogenesis of OA, cartilage degeneration is the main cause. There are many long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) specifically expressed in osteoarthritis, which is closely related to the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Based on the latest research from 2014 to 2019, this paper summarizes the differential expression of lncRNA in osteoarthritis, the mechanism of lncRNA regulating chondrocyte function, and the mechanism of lncRNA regulating cartilage matrix metabolism. The fact that the expression of lncRNA is altered at different stages of OA development indicates that lncRNA can be developed forlife. The biomarkers and therapeutic targets can provide reference for the prevention, treatment and research of osteoarthritis.

Promoting Effects on Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Four "Kidney-Tonifying" Traditional Chinese Herbs.

Traditional Chinese medicine can promote the proliferation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). We chose four "Kidney-tonifying" Chinese herbal medicines, Radix Astragali, Salvia, Herba Epimedii, and Saussurea Involucrata, to evaluate whether they had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs and TGF-ß1-induced chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The four Chinese herbal medicines were intragastrically administered to Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively, to prepare drug-containing serums of corresponding Chinese herbs. BMSCs were isolated, cultured, and exposed to culture solution containing 1%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (v/v) Radix Astragali-, Salvia-, Herba Epimedii-, and Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum, respectively. TGF-ß1-induced BMSCs were addressed in the same manner. Collagen type II protein was assessed by immunofluorescence methods. To assess whether the drug-containing serums had positive effects on the proliferation of BMSCs and TGF-ß1-induced BMSCs, MTT method was assessed. The proliferation of BMSCs was significantly enhanced when exposed to culture solutions containing 1% and 5% Radix Astragali-, 1% and 5% Salvia-, 5% Herba Epimedii-, and 1%, 5%, and 10% Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum. The proliferation of TGF-ß1-induced BMSCs was significantly enhanced when exposed to 1%, 5%, and 15% Radix Astragali-, 10% and 15% Salvia-, 5%, and 15% Herba Epimedii-, and 1%, 5%, and 10% Saussurea Involucrata-containing serum.

Resveratrol rescued the TNF-α-induced impairments of osteogenesis of bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells and inhibited the TNF-α-activated NF-кB signaling pathway.

Resveratrol, trans-3,4'-trihydroxystilbene, is a natural phytoalexin. Its anti-inflammatory activity has attracted more and more attention in clinic over the years for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. However, its effect on bone repair and new bone formation in an inflammatory microenvironment is quite little understood, especially when bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in stem cell therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bone diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on osteogenic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow derived MSCs and potential mechanism involved when cells were exposed to TNF-α treatment. We found that resveratrol reversed the apoptotic effect of TNF-α and abrogated its inhibitory effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow derived MSCs. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that resveratrol rescued the TNF-α-induced impairments of osteogenesis, and inhibited TNF-α-activated NF-κB signaling. Our study may help understand the mechanism involved in the inhibitory effect of inflammatory cytokines on osteogenic differentiation, and highlights the role of resveratrol as a potential therapeutic agent for bone repair and especially in MSC-based cell therapy for the treatment of inflammation-associated bone diseases.

[Herbert screw fixation for the treatment of capitulum radius fracture: a report of 15 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the short-term therapeutic effects of Herbert screw fixation on type Mason II, Ill radial head fractures. METHODS: From March 2008 to July 2010,15 patients with Mason II, III radial head fractures were treated by open reduction and Herbert screw fixation including 6 males and 9 females with the mean age of 32 years (from 18 to 55). Seven cases were left and 8 cases were right. The interval from injury to hospitalization ranged from 3 to 10 hours. The clinical symptoms were swelling, pain, restricted movement in elbow. Bonycrepitus were heard on the elbow joint and X-ray film showed radial head fractures. Mayo elbow scoring system was used to evaluate recovery of elbow function. RESULTS: All the incisions primarily healed without myositis ossificans. All the patients were followed up for 6 to 15 months. According to Mayo elbow score, the result was excellent in 8 cases, good in 5 cases and fair in 2 cases. Mayo score was (86.67+/-1.26) points, which including pain (53.33+/-9.76), joint function(27.33+/-4.58), joint stability(6.00+/-2.07) elbow joint mobility was 70 degrees-130 degrees with the average of (105+/-10) degrees, forearm rotation was 1000-1300 with the average of (120+/-16) degrees. CONCLUSION: Treatment of Mason II, II radial head fractures with Herbert screw fixation has advantages of satisfactory reduction, reliable fixation,easy operating and early movement of joint.