Nardosinone suppresses monoiodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats: The key role of the miR-218-5p/NUMB axis.

Nardosinone is a bioactive compound with a sesquiterpenoid structure isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi. The compound has shown treatment effects against skeletal disorders. In the current study, the effects of nardosinone on osteoarthritis (OA) were first assessed and the mechanism underlying the effects was explored by detecting changes in the miR-218-5p/NUMB axis. The miR, as a potential target mediating the effects of nardosinone on OA, was first determined with microarray and RT-qPCR detections. Then, OA symptoms were induced in rats using monoiodoacetate (MIA) and treated with nardosinone. The anti-OA effects of nardosinone were assessed via the detection of the histological structure and inflammation. The role of miR-218-5p was delineated by modulating its levels in OA-affected rats. Based on the results of microarray and RT-qPCR detections, miR-218-5p was selected as the therapeutic target for nardosinone. The induction of OA resulted in tissue destruction and the production of cytokines in rat joint tissues, which was associated with the up-regulation of miR-218-5p and the downregulation of NUMB. For OA-affected rats treated with nardosinone, the joint structure was improved and the inflammatory response was suppressed, along with the restored expression levels of miR-218-5p and NUMB. The re-induced level of miR-218-5p compromised the anti-OA effects of nardosinone, indicating that the inhibition of the miR played an indispensable role in the anti-OA function of nardosinone. Collectively, the findings of our study demonstrated that nardosinone exerts treatment effects against OA by modulating the miR-218-5p/NUMB axis. Future studies will provide more detailed information on the interaction between nardosinone and miR in the attenuation of OA.

Polydatin inhibits IL-1ß-mediated chondrocyte inflammation and ameliorates cartilage degradation: Involvement of the NF-κB and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent chronic joint disease that involves extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and articular cartilage inflammation. Polydatin (PD) can alleviate inflammatory reactions in numerous diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of PD on interleukin (IL)- 1ß-treated chondrocytes in vitro and anterior cruciate ligament transection-induced rat OA models in vivo. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from SD rats and cultured. Only second-passage cells were used for subsequent experiments. Counting kit-8, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunofluorescence were used to detect relevant indices. Rat OA models were established to obtain in vivo data. PD treatment decreased the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and IL-6 during IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocyte inflammation. Moreover, PD upregulated aggrecan and collagen II expression, whereas downregulated a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5) and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) expression on IL-1ß-mediated chondrocytes. Additionally, PD reduced IL-1ß-stimulated NF-κB and Wnt/ß-catenin activation and nuclear translocation. The results of histological analysis and scoring revealed that OA in the rat models was effectively ameliorated by the intra-articular injection of PD. PD suppressed IL-1ß-stimulated iNOS, COX-2, NO, and PGE2 production, TNF-α, IL-6, collagen X, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 expression, collagen II and aggrecan degeneration by inhibiting NF-κB and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in vitro. PD also mitigated OA progression in the rat models, thereby providing reliable data that PD could serve as a promising candidate for OA therapy.

Effects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Combined with Needle-Knife on Pain and Lumbar Function in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation.

This study aimed for the analysis of the effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with needle-knife on pain and lumbar function in patients with lumbar disc herniation. From June 2019 to February 2021, the medical records of 126 patients with lumbar disc herniation admitted to the department of orthopedics of our hospital were selected and divided into the control group (n = 63) treated with acupuncture and moxibustion and the observation group (n = 63) treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with needle-knife according to different treatment regimens. After 4 weeks of treatment, the clinical efficacy, pain status, and lumbar function were compared between the two groups. The concentrations of relevant inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and MMP-2) in peripheral blood of the two patients before and after treatment were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After treatment, the overall response rate was 93.65% in the observation group, which was higher than 80.95% in the control group (P < 0.05); the visual blurred score (VAS) scores of lower limbs and waist in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, while the expression of pain mediators serotonin (5-HT) and prostaglandin E2 (PEG2) was also lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the Oswestry disability index (ODI) in the observation group was lower than that in the control group, while the Japanese Orthopedic Association assessment treatment score (JOA) was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the concentration levels in peripheral blood (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and MMP-2) were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with needle-knife is effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, which helps to improve the clinical efficacy, relieve pain symptoms, promote the improvement of lumbar function, and contribute to the reduction of inflammatory factors.

Eddy heat exchange at the boundary under white noise turbulence.

We prove the existence of an eddy heat diffusion coefficient coming from an idealized model of turbulent fluid. A difficulty lies in the presence of a boundary, with also turbulent mixing and the eddy diffusion coefficient going to zero at the boundary. Nevertheless, enhanced diffusion takes place. This article is part of the theme issue 'Scaling the turbulence edifice (part 2)'.

Retraction notice to "The comparative study of clinical efficacy and safety of baclofen vs tolperisone in spasticity caused by spinal cord injury" [Saudi Pharm. J. 25 (2017) 655-659].

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2017.04.041.].

The comparative study of clinical efficacy and safety of baclofen vs tolperisone in spasticity caused by spinal cord injury.

In the present study we compared the clinical efficacy and safety of baclofen vs tolperisone in spasticity caused by spinal cord injury. A total of 150 patients were enrolled in the present study and were divided into two groups with 75 patients in each group, receiving baclofen or tolperisone, respectively. We used Modified Ashworth Scale, Medical research council scale, Barthel Index, and Coefficient of efficacy to measure clinical efficacy. After 6-week treatment, both groups demonstrated significant improvement in muscle tone, muscle strength and functional outcome (Group I, 1.55 ± 0.053, 2.79 ± 0.032, 59.31 ± 1.32; Group II, 1.57 ± 0.053, 3.04 ± 0.032, 73 ± 1.32 respectively). There was no significant difference regarding improvement in muscle tone and muscle strength between the two groups (Group I, 1.055 ± 0.053 vs Group II, 1.57 ± 0.053; Group I, 2.79 ± 0.032 vs Group II, 3.04 ± 0.032, p > 0.05). However, the improvement in functional outcomes was greater in group II as compared to that in group I (Group I, 59.31 ± 1.32 vs Group II, 73 ± 1.32, p < 0.05). In addition, overall efficacy coefficient was greater for group II as compared to group I (Group I, 3.6 vs Group II, 2.3, p < 0.05). Group I had more side effects compared to Group II. Compared to baclofen, tolperisone offers greater improvement in activities of daily living compared to baclofen.

[General and light microscope observation on histological changes of femoral heads between SANFH rabbit animal models and it were intervened by Osteoking].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the histological changes on the femoral heads of the SANFH rabbit animal models and after it were intervened by Osteoking (herbs of the Yi minority in Yunnan province) using general and light microscope observation. METHOD: A total of 150 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into a non-treatment control group (A group, n = 24), normal rabbits with Osteoking treatment group (B group, n = 24), and the experimental group (n = 102). The experimental group was injected with escherichia coli endotoxin (10 microg x kg(-1)) into auricular vein twice by 24-hour intervals, and prednisolone (20 mg x kg(-1)) was injected into buttock three times by 24-hour intervals to make steroid-induced femoral head necrosis model. At the fifth week, 48 out of 53 rabbits were equally divided into model group (C group, n = 24, models with non-treatment Osteoking) and abnormal rabbits with Osteoking treatment group (D group, n = 24). B group and D group were intragastrically administrated with Osteoking, once every two days. A group and C group were intragastrically administrated with the equal volume of saline. At 8th, 12th and 16th week after model preparation, the femoral head specimens were observed under the general and a light microscope. RESULT: Macroscopic and light microscopic analysis showed that, clear bone necrosis of femoral head was observed in the C group, and a large number of fat cell proliferation was found in the bone marrow cavity. As compared with C group, the damage level of cells in D group was milder, however, the density of bone trabecula from Osteoking treatment was high, and the ratio of bone lacuna was very low. It is also demonstrated that the surface area of bone necrosis was decreased, and the number of cells from adiposities was reduced significantly. The phenomenon of bone necrosis repaired apparently. The morphology of femoral head from A group and B group is normal. CONCLUSION: It suggested that Osteoking could effectively help repair steroid-induced femoral head necrosis in the early stage.