ABSTRACT
During disc degeneration, the increase of inflammatory cytokines and decrease of disc cell density are two prominent features. Enhanced inflammatory reaction contributes to disc annulus fibrosus (AF) cell apoptosis. In this study, we investigated whether resveratrol can suppress AF cell apoptosis in an inflammatory environment. Rat disc AF cells were cultured in medium with or without tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Resveratrol was added along with the culture medium supplemented with TNF-α. Caspase-3 activity, cell apoptosis ratio, expression of apoptosis-associated molecules (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase-3), reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, and the total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. Our results showed that TNF-α significantly increased caspase-3 activity and AF cell apoptosis ratio and upregulated gene/protein expression of Bax, caspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, and cleaved PARP, whereas it downregulated the expression of Bcl-2. Moreover, TNF-α significantly increased ROS content but decreased the total SOD activity. Further analysis demonstrated that resveratrol partly attenuated the effects of TNF-α on AF cell apoptosis-associated parameters, decreased ROS content, and increased the total SOD activity in the AF cells treated with TNF-α. In conclusion, resveratrol attenuates inflammatory cytokine TNF-α-induced AF cell apoptosis through regulating oxidative stress reaction in vitro. This study sheds a new light on the protective role of resveratrol in alleviating disc degeneration.
Subject(s)
Annulus Fibrosus/pathology , Apoptosis , Inflammation/pathology , Oxidative Stress , Resveratrol/pharmacology , Animals , Annulus Fibrosus/drug effects , Apoptosis/drug effects , Apoptosis/genetics , Biomarkers/metabolism , Caspase 3/metabolism , Caspase 9/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Oxidative Stress/genetics , Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases/metabolism , Rats , Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9) locus are clearly related to uric acid concentrations previously identified as a major cause of gout. Due to the important function of various SNPs, we hypothesized that the common GLUT9 polymorphisms (rs16890979, rs6855911, and rs7442295) are associated with gout risk. The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis.Gout risk was estimated by calculating odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (ORs and 95% CIs). Either the fixed- or the random-effect model was used for OR calculations. Subgroup analyses were carried out by ethnicity for rs16890979 and by gender for all SNPs.We analyzed a total of 8 studies involving 2525 subjects for rs16890979, 2654 for rs6855911, and 2637 for rs7442295. A significantly declined risk was suggested in the meta-analyses of rs16890979 under dominant model (ORâ=â0.44, 95% CIâ=â0.34-0.58) and heterozygote model (ORâ=â0.44, 95% CIâ=â0.33-0.59). The OR was 0.41 under allele frequency model (ORâ=â0.41, 95% CIâ=â0.33-0.53). Significantly declined risk in relation to rs16890979 was also found among Asians. Similarly decreased risk was revealed for rs7442295, both in total samples and in males. However, the meta-analysis of rs6855911 revealed no significant associations.These data seem to support the hypothesis that the risk of gout may be associated with GLUT9 rs16890979 and rs7442295.
Subject(s)
DNA/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative/genetics , Gout/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Gene Frequency , Genotype , Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative/metabolism , Gout/metabolism , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As a susceptibility gene for AS, the polymorphsims of PTPN22 associated with disease susceptibility. METHODS: We selected two SNPs of rs1217406 and rs1217414 within PTPN22 with Haploview software and investigated the relationship between the SNPs of PTPN22 gene and AS susceptibility. 120 AS patients and 100 healthy people were enrolled from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. And we genotyped the SNPs of PTPN22 with PCR-RFLP method. RESULTS: The results showed that C allele (rs1217406) and T allele (rs1217414) both were risk factors for AS (OR: 3.12, 2.13). The persons with A-T, C-C or C-T haplotypes were more likely to suffer AS (OR: 3.17, 3.66, 4.011). CONCLUSIONS: Due to the close relationship of PTPN22 and AS, the study may be helpful for the early diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Subject(s)
Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 22/genetics , Spondylitis, Ankylosing/genetics , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Female , Genotype , Humans , Male , Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We explored the effect of adjunctive acupuncture on secondary osteoporosis in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Patients with subacute SCI were recruited and divided into two groups by patient choice: group 1 patients received standard combination therapy and group 2 patients received combination therapy plus acupuncture for 3â months. The concentrations of IgG, IgM and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) in serum and the bone mineral density were measured before and after treatment. RESULT: The decrease in the concentration of TNFα and IgM in patients in group 2 compared with those in group 1 was statistically significant. The IgG level showed no significant change in either group. Bone mineral density increased more after adjunctive acupuncture, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to determine whether acupuncture as an adjunct to combination therapy can reduce osteoporosis in patients with subacute SCI. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: P153-2008-36.
