Ubiquitin-specific protease 49 attenuates IL-1ß-induced rat primary chondrocyte apoptosis by facilitating Axin deubiquitination and subsequent Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cascade inhibition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related chronic joint degenerative disease. Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) is considered a marker for the progression of OA. In this study, we found that Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 49 (USP49) was significantly less expressed in OA patients compared with healthy individuals. Treating primary rat chondrocytes with different concentrations of IL-1ß resulted in decreased Usp49 expression, while Usp49 overexpression could attenuate IL-1ß-induced chondrocyte apoptosis by promoting Axin deubiquitination. The deubiquitination of Axin led to the accumulation of the protein, which in turn resulted in ß-catenin degradation and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cascade inhibition. Interestingly, we also found that [6]-gingerol, an anti-OA drug, could upregulate the protein level of Usp49 and suppress the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cascade in primary rat chondrocytes. Taken together, our study not only demonstrates that Usp49 can negatively regulate the progression of OA by inhibiting the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cascade, but also elucidates the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Comparison of Nonabsorbable and Absorbable Suture in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Wound closure of KA is important for postoperative rehabilitation. At present there is still no consensus on the best wound closure technique for KA. We performed the present study to determine whether absorbable suture is better than nonabsorbable suture in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 180 patients who underwent TKA were divided into 3 groups: 80 cases of nonabsorbable suture, 50 cases of 2-0 absorbable suture, and 50 cases of 4-0 absorbable suture. The time required for closure, frequency of gauze change, length of stay in hospital, adverse events, range of motion (ROM) after 3 months postoperatively, and VAS score of wounds were calculated. Comparison was made to explore any significant differences between different groups. RESULTS There were significant differences between the nonabsorbable group and the absorbable group with regards to closure time, frequency of gauze change, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Closure time was longer in the absorbable group than in the nonabsorbable group. Frequency of gauze change, hospital LOS, and adverse events were lower, and VAS was higher in the absorbable group. Closure time was longer in the 4-0 absorbable group than in the 2-0 group. There was no significant difference between the 4-0 group and 2-0 group in other variables. There was no significant difference in long-term ROM among all groups. CONCLUSIONS Absorbable suture in TKA reduces the incidence of fatty liquefaction, frequency of gauze change, and postoperative LOS. It improves the cosmetic appearance and overall reduces the economic cost. There was no significant effect on early and long-term functional ROM. In conclusion, absorbable suture can be used in TKA when appropriately indicated.