Skin microbiome profiling reveals the crucial role of microbial metabolites in anti-photoaging.

BACKGROUND: Skin microbiota is essential for health maintenance. Photoaging is the primary environmental factor that affects skin homeostasis, but whether it influences the skin microbiota remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between photoaging and skin microbiome. METHODS: A cohort of senior bus drivers was considered as a long-term unilateral ultraviolet (UV) irradiated population. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was conducted to assess skin microbial composition variations on different sides of their faces. The microbiome characteristics of the photoaged population were further examined by photoaging guinea pig models, and the correlations between microbial metabolites and aging-related cytokines were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Photoaging decreased the relative abundance of microorganisms including Georgenia and Thermobifida in human skin and downregulated the generation of skin microbe-derived antioxidative metabolites such as ectoin. In animal models, Lactobacillus and Streptobacillus abundance in both the epidermis and dermis dropped after UV irradiation, resulting in low levels of skin antioxidative molecules and leading to elevated expressions of the collagen degradation factors matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-2 and inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6. CONCLUSIONS: Skin microbial characteristics have an impact in photoaging and the loss of microbe-derived antioxidative metabolites impairs skin cells and accelerates the aging process. Therefore, microbiome-based therapeutics may have potential in delaying skin aging.

Effect of dissolved oxygen and ammonia nitrogen on Culter alburnus: Physiology, biochemistry, and molecular analyses.

Culter alburnus (topmouth culter)is an economically valuable freshwater fish. However, its insufficient tolerance to dissolved oxygen (DO) and ammonia nitrogen (AN) hinders its industrialisation. 360 experimental fish (4.87 ± 1.10 g) were placed in breathing chambers (oxygen level was 0.70-6.50 mg/L) or water tanks (control AN, 0 mg/L; low AN, 8 mg/L; high AN, 16 mg/L). This study analysed the effects of DO and AN on C. alburnus at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels. (1) Physiology level: the floating point, coma critical point, and coma point at 20 °C group were significantly higher than those at 30 °C. The oxygen consumption rate of C. alburnus at 20 °C, 25 °C, and 30 °C was (256.65 ± 25.87), (470.47 ± 83.84), and (520.87 ± 55.40) mg/kg.h. The LC50 of AN after 96 h was 24.13 mg/L, and the safe concentration was 2.41 mg/L. The survival rate in the high AN group was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. (2) Biochemistry level: The change curves of antioxidant enzyme activity in the liver tissue under hypoxic stress reached a maximum at 12 h and then decreased. In addition, the increase and decrease in enzyme activity (except malondialdehyde) in the high AN group was lower than that in the low AN group. (3) Molecular level: the angiotensin-converting enzyme and carboxypeptidase genes were the major differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in hypoxic stress, and the DEGs were mainly enriched in the ABC transporter signal transduction pathway. In addition, the serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase genes were among the major DEGs under high AN stress. The DEGs were mainly enriched in steroid biosynthesis or glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism transporter signal transduction pathways. In summary, it is necessary to focus on the DO and AN during C. alburnus breeding.

Mechanism of Rhodiola rosea-Euonymus alatus drug pair against rheumatoid arthritis: Network pharmacology and experimental validation.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to explore the potential components and mechanisms of Rhodiola rosea-Euonymus alatus drug pair (TY) that ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The main active components, core targets, and important pathways of TY against RA were predicted by network pharmacology analysis. The binding activity between the main active components and the core targets was verified by the molecular docking technique. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced fibroblast-like synovial cells in human RA (HFLS-RA) model were established, respectively. The core targets were verified by cell counting kit-8 assay, hematoxylin eosin, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis, and the therapeutic effect of TY was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 18 possible components and 34 core targets were obtained by network pharmacology, among which inflammatory response, phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)-AKT and MAPK pathways were involved in the therapeutic effect of TY on RA. The results of molecular docking showed that kaempferol and quercetin had high binding affinity to interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, and TNF-α. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that TY dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HFLS-RA cells induced by TNF-α, and significantly reduced the paw swelling and arthritis scores in CIA rats. At the same time, TY inhibited the production of inflammatory factors in CIA rat serum and TNF-α-induced HFLS-RA cells. It also decreased the expression of PI3K, phospho-protein kinase B, MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, and increased the protein and mRNA levels of tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP)1 in synovial tissue. CONCLUSION: TY can inhibit the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and regulate the balance between MMPs and TIMP, thus playing a therapeutic role in RA.

Corrigendum: Vestibular dysfunction is an important contributor to the aging of visuospatial ability in older adults-Data from a computerized test system.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1049806.].

Vestibular cognition assessment system: Tablet-based computerized visuospatial abilities test battery.

Introduction: The vestibular system is anatomically connected to extensive regions of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. However, studies focusing on the impact of vestibular impairment on visuospatial cognition ability are limited. This study aimed to develop a mobile tablet-based vestibular cognitive assessment system (VCAS), enhance the dynamic and three-dimensional (3D) nature of the test conditions, and comprehensively evaluate the visuospatial cognitive ability of patients with vestibular dysfunction. Materials and methods: First, the VCAS assessment dimensions (spatial memory, spatial navigation, and mental rotation) and test content (weeding, maze, card rotation, and 3D driving tests) were determined based on expert interviews. Second, VCAS was developed based on Unity3D, using the C# language and ILruntime hot update framework development technology, combined with the A* algorithm, prime tree algorithm, and dynamic route rendering. Further, the online test was built using relevant game business logic. Finally, healthy controls (HC) and 78 patients with vertigo (VP) were recruited for the VCAS test. The validity of VCAS was verified using the test results of random controls. Results: In the weeding test, the HC group had a significantly longer span and faster velocity backward than did the VP group. In the 12 × 12 maze, statistically significant differences in step and time were observed between the two groups, with VP taking longer time and more steps. In the mental rotation task, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. Similarly, no significant difference was found in the performance of the two groups on maps 2, 3, and 4 in the 3D driving task. Discussion: Thus, impaired visuospatial cognition in patients with vestibular dysfunction is primarily related to spatial memory and navigation. VCAS is a clinically applicable visuospatial cognitive ability test for VP.

Radiotherapy opens the blood-brain barrier and synergizes with anlotinib in treating glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor prognosis and lacks effective treatment. Anlotinib is a multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that may have anti-tumor activity in the central nervous system (CNS). This study aimed to determine the therapeutic value of radiotherapy combined with anlotinib in GBM via preclinical research. METHODS: HPLC-MS/MS was used to assess the concentration of anlotinib in blood and brain samples. Cell proliferation assays, flow cytometry, and colony formation assays were performed in vitro. The potential value of anlotinib or in combination with radiotherapy for GBM treatment was estimated in vivo. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescent staining were performed to determine the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: Anlotinib effectively inactivated the JAK3/STAT3 pathway to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in malignant glioma cells (MGCs) independent of MGMT expression. Meanwhile, anlotinib induces MGCs G2/M arrest and sensitizes MGCs to radiation. Radiation down-regulates claudin-5 and weakens the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which contributes to the increased distribution of anlotinib in the CNS by 1.0-2.9 times. Anlotinib restrains tumor growth (PCNA), inhibits tumor microvascular proliferation (CD31), and alleviated intratumor hypoxia (HIF 1α) in vivo. Anlotinib alone or in combination with radiation is effective and safe in vivo evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: We discovered that anlotinib, the original small molecule antiangiogenesis TKI, down-regulates JAK3/STAT3 axis with anti-cancer activity alone or in combination with radiation. Anlotinib combined with radiotherapy might be a promising treatment for newly diagnosed GBM in the clinic.

Vestibular dysfunction is an important contributor to the aging of visuospatial ability in older adults-Data from a computerized test system.

Background: A convergence of research supports a key role of the vestibular system in visuospatial ability. However, visuospatial ability may decline with age. This work aims to elucidate the important contribution of vestibular function to visuospatial ability in old adults through a computerized test system. Methods: Patients with a clinical history of recurrent vertigo and at least failed one vestibular test were included in this cross-sectional study. Healthy controls of three age groups: older, middle-aged, and young adults were also involved. Visuospatial cognitive outcomes including spatial memory, spatial navigation, and mental rotation of all the groups were recorded. Comparing the performance of the visuospatial abilities between patients and age-matched controls as well as within the controls. Results: A total of 158 individuals were enrolled. Results showed that patients performed worse than the age-matched controls, with the differences in the forward span (p < 0.001), the time of the maze 8 × 8 (p = 0.009), and the time of the maze 12 × 12 (p = 0.032) being significant. For the differences in visuospatial cognitive outcomes within the controls, the younger group had a significantly better performance than the other groups. The older group and the middle-aged group had comparable performances during all the tests. Conclusions: Older patients with vestibular dysfunction had more difficulties during visuospatial tasks than age-matched controls, especially in spatial memory and spatial navigation. Within the controls, younger adults did much better than other age groups, while older adults behaved similarly to middle-aged adults. It is a valuable attempt to computerize the administration of tests for visuospatial ability.

Comparison of hidden blood loss and clinical efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

PURPOSE: Hidden blood loss (HBL) is a growing area of interest for spinal surgeons. Simultaneously, spine surgeons' pursuit of minimally invasive spine surgery has never ceased, as evidenced by the increasing number of articles comparing percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF). However, there has been no comparison of HBL between Endo-TLIF and Mis-TLIF. This study aimed to compare HBL, visible blood loss (VBL), and total blood loss (TBL) following Endo-TLIF and Mis-TLIF and evaluate the clinical significance of these procedures. METHODS: Between October 2017 and October 2019, 370 patients underwent lumbar interbody fusion at our institution and were followed up for at least 24 months. Our study included 41 Endo-TLIF and 43 Mis-TLIF cases. We recorded each patient's age, height, weight, and haematocrit and calculated the TBL, which was used to indirectly obtain the HBL. Additionally, we compared the clinical outcomes of these two groups, including visual analogue scores for the lumbar spine and leg (VAS-Back; VAS-Leg), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, disease type, operative segment, and intervertebral fusion and complication rates. RESULTS: Endo-TLIF had significantly lower HBL, VBL, and TBL values than Mis-TLIF (P < 0.05 for all). Although Endo-TLIF contained significantly less HBL than Mis-TLIF, the HBL to TBL ratio was statistically greater in Endo-TLIF (91%) than in Mis-TLIF (87%). Concerning clinical outcomes, VAS-Back, VAS-Leg, ODI, JOA, and Endo-TLIF demonstrated greater improvement rates than Mis-TLIF one week post-operatively. However, at the final follow-up, VAS-Back, VAS-Leg, ODI, and JOA scores all demonstrated a trend toward sustained improvement, with no statistically significant between-procedure difference. There were no statistically significant between-procedure differences in disease type, surgical segment, and complication or fusion rates. CONCLUSION: Endo-TLIF significantly reduced HBL, VBL, and TBL compared to Mis-TLIF and improved short-term clinical outcomes; however, long-term clinical outcomes and fusion rates remained comparable between the two groups, as did the incidence of peri-operative complications.

Acute bone damage through liver-bone axis induced by thioacetamide in rats.

BACKGROUND: Thioacetamide (TAA) is used in various fields, such as synthetic drugs, organic chemical synthesis, and materials chemistry. TAA is mainly used to establish animal liver injury models and other organ damage models to explore their mechanisms for helping patients with liver disease. Liver damage can lead to abnormal expression of some enzymes in the serum, so we detected the appropriate enzyme levels in the serum of SD rats to verify the damage of TAA to the liver. More importantly, TAA caused bone damage is barely understood. Therefore, our research aims to establish a rat model reflecting the acute bone damage injury caused by TAA. METHODS: The SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with normal saline (0.9%) or TAA (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg) for 1 month (once the other day). After the last intraperitoneal injection, serum samples from rats were used for biochemical tests. Masson staining is used to detect liver damage, and micro-CT is used to detect the changes in bone. Moreover, the three-point bending experiment was used to detect the force range of the hind limbs of SD rats. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, after the intraperitoneal injection of TAA, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid (UA), total bile acid (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), carbamide (UREA) and creatinine (CREA) rose sharply, while the levels of serum content of total protein (TP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were severely reduced. After TAA administration, collagen fibers were deposited and liver fibrosis was obvious. Micro-CT results showed that the bone surface, tissue surface, bone volume, and tissue volume of rats with an intraperitoneal injection of TAA were significantly reduced. In addition, the bones of rats with an intraperitoneal injection of TAA can resist less pressure and are prone to fractures. CONCLUSIONS: TAA can cause liver damage in SD rats, which is explained by the changes in serum biochemical indicators and the deposition of liver collagen. More importantly, TAA can reduce bone mineral density and increase the separation of bone trabeculae in SD rats, and finally lead to bone injury. This suggests that TAA may become an ideal model to investigate abnormal bone metabolism after liver injury.

Improved Detection of mecA-Mediated ß-Lactam Resistance in Staphylococcus lugdunensis Using a New Oxacillin Salt Agar Screen.

Oxacillin resistance mediated by mecA in Staphylococcus lugdunensis is emerging in some geographic areas. We evaluated cefoxitin disk diffusion (DD) and a new oxacillin agar (supplemented with 2 µg/ml oxacillin and 2% sodium chloride) screen for the detection of mecA-mediated resistance in S. lugdunensis. A total of 300 consecutive, non-duplicated clinical S. lugdunensis isolates from diverse sources in Hong Kong in 2019 were tested. The categorical agreement and errors obtained between cefoxitin DD test, oxacillin agar screen and mecA PCR were analyzed. Isolates with discordant results were further tested by MIC, penicillin binding protein 2a (PBP2a) assays, population analysis and molecular typing. PCR showed that 62 isolates were mecA-positive and 238 isolates were mecA-negative. For cefoxitin DD results interpreted using S. aureus/S. lugdunensis breakpoints, the categorical agreement (CA) for two brands of Muller-Hinton agars, MH-II (Becton Dickinson) and MH-E (bioMérieux) were both 96.0%; MEs were both 0%; and VMEs were 19.4 and 12.9%, respectively. The new oxacillin agar reliably differentiated mecA-positive and mecA-negative isolates (100% CA) without any ME or VME results. The 8 isolates with false susceptibility in the cefoxitin DD testing had cefoxitin and oxacillin MICs in the susceptible range. The isolates showed heterogeneous oxacillin resistance with resistant subpopulations at low frequencies. All had positive PBP2a results and were typed as sequence type 27/SCCmec V. The findings highlight the inability of cefoxitin DD and MIC tests for reliable detection of some mecA-positive S. lugdunensis isolates.

Isolation and characterization of a novel strain (YH01) of Micropterus salmoides rhabdovirus and expression of its glycoprotein by the baculovirus expression system / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

As one of the most important aquatic fish, Micropterus salmoides suffers lethal and epidemic disease caused by rhabdovirus at the juvenile stage. In this study, a new strain of M. salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) was isolated from Yuhang, Zhejiang Province, China, and named MSRV-YH01. The virus infected the grass carp ovary (GCO) cell line and displayed virion particles with atypical bullet shape, 300-500 nm in length and 100-200 nm in diameter under transmission electron microscopy. The complete genome sequence of this isolate was determined to include 11 526 nucleotides and to encode five classical structural proteins. The construction of the phylogenetic tree indicated that this new isolate is clustered into the Vesiculovirus genus and most closely related to the Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus. To explore the potential for a vaccine against MSRV, a glycoprotein (1-458 amino acid residues) of MSRV-YH01 was successfully amplified and cloned into the plasmid pFastBac1. The high-purity recombinant bacmid-glycoprotein was obtained from DH10Bac through screening and identification. Based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blot, and immunofluorescence assay, recombinant virus, including the MSRV-YH01 glycoprotein gene, was produced by transfection of SF9 cells using the pFastBac1-gE2, and then repeatedly amplified to express the glycoprotein protein. We anticipate that this recombinant bacmid system could be used to challenge the silkworm and develop a corresponding oral vaccine for fish.

[Diagnosis and treatment of esophagustype cervical spondylosis].

Esophagustype cervical spondylosis is easily misdiagnosed or missed diagnosed for its lower incidence. The pathological basis manily concerned with compression of osteophyte for esophageal and tracheal wall and local inflammatory reaction. The diagnosis of disease is generally not difficult. Especially dynamic esophagogram could not only show degree of cervical degeneration and osteophyte shape, but also could clearly observe location and degree of osteophytosis indenting esophageal and tracheal. Recently, the treatment of esophagustype cervical spondylosis has been the focus of attention. It is generally believed that conservative treatment could alleviate disease but could not cure it. More and more scholars tend to treat disease by surgical resection of osteophyte to relieve compression for esophagus, and clinical symptoms could obviously improved. However, long-term follow up is lack, and further follow-up effect is lack of powerful support, anddifferent treatment methods and surgical procedures are lack of comparative research.

[Recent progress on osteocyte research].

Content of osteocyte in bone tissue is the most abundant, the most widely distributed, and embedding the cells in the mineralized bone matrix, the life can be close to the life of the body. Osteocyte formed by the cytoplasm dendritic communication network system between osteocyte and bone surface, is of great significance to maintaining the normal physiological function of bone tissue. Bone cells as the direct receptor of bone mechanical stress, through the release of bioactive factors such as PEG2, NO, ATP and classic Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway mechanical stress signal can be converted to bone formation and bone resorption of biochemical signals, and the biochemical signals were transfer to the other type cells of the tissue to regulate its function activities and cause bone reconstruction function. The microcracks surrounding osteocyte can disrupt the microtubule network system,cause surrounding osteocyte autophagy. In addition, osteocyte is very important for regulation of the body mineral balance, fat metabolism, and hematopoietic function.

Analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal treated with conventional and sham acupuncture at San-yinjiao (SP 6) / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the difference in the analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal between acupuncture and sham acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) during menstrual pain and evaluate the impact of psychological effect on acupuncture analgesia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty subjects were randomized into an acupuncture group and a sham acupuncture group, 30 cases in each one. The conventional acupuncture and sham acupuncture were applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6) on bilateral sides when menstrual pain began to attack and needles were retained for 30 min each time. Three menstrual cycles were required. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was adopted to determine the scores before and 0. 5 h, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after acupuncture during menstrual pain in each cycle separately.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the acupuncture group, VAS score at each time point after acupuncture was reduced as compared with that at the previous one during menstrual pain in each menstrual cycle, indicating the significant difference (all P<0. 05). In the sham acupuncture group, the scores in 6 h and 12 h of acupuncture were reduced as compared with the previous one, indicating the significant difference (all P<0. 05). After acupuncture, VAS score at each time point in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham acupuncture group (all P<0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The conventional acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) achieves the significant analgesic effect on primary dysmenorrheal. The psychological placebo effect of sham acupuncture has no obvious impact on acupuncture analgesia.</p>

[Current prevalence of Clonorchis sinensis infection in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of clonorchiasis in Jiangmen City. METHODS: From May to December 2011, each town was randomly chosen from east, south, west, north and central area of 7 cities/districts of Jiangmen City. Four or five villages were randomly selected from each town. In each village, the residents above 3-year-old in 10% randomly sampled families were treated as research objects. Total of 14,000 fecal boxes were issued and 12,661 ones back. Eggs in stool were examined by modified Kato-Katz thick smear method (three slides per specimen). RESULTS: A total of 1316 clonorchiasis cases were found from 12,661 pepople in 140 villages with a prevalence of 10.39% (1316/12,661). The average egg density was 98.3 eggs per gram (EPG) feces. Among 7 cities/districts, the prevalence in Pengjiang District (26.68%, 402/1507) was the highest, and that of Taishan City (0.93%, 19/2049) was the lowest. The egg density in Heshan City was the highest (225.4 EPG) and the lowest one was found in Taishan City (5.13 EPG). The prevalence was negatively related with the distance to major rivers (r=-0.61, P<0.01). The prevalence and the egg density in males and females was 13.20% (807/6112) and 80.9 EPG, and 7.77% (509/6549) and 39.4 EPG, respectively. The prevalence and intensity of infection increased obviously in the groups of above 20-year-old. The people with a higher prevalence was the group of 60-69 year-old, and the people above 70 years showed heavier infection (153.8 EPG). Light, moderate and heavy infection occupied 99.91%, 0.09%, and 0. CONCLUSION: Clonorchiasis is endemic in seven districts of Jiangmen City with different epidemic degrees. There are significant differences in the prevalence and intensity of infection among different areas. The villages with higher prevalence distribute along the middle and lower sections of the two major rivers.

[Progress on tantalum rod implanting for the treatment of femur head necrosis].

Incorrect treatment for femur head necrosis can cause collapse of femoral head and tresult in severe harm for the patients (especially for the patient with middle-aged and young). The structure and mechanics characteristics of tantalum rod is similar to bone tissue, it higher strength and can adapt the internal environment of organism, so it has a large potency in treating femur head necrosis. Treatment of early femur head necrosis with tantalum rod implanting had alreadly widey applied at home and abroad, the method has the advantages of simple operation, little risk, less complication and beseems the patient with stage I - II of ARCO. But reasons that the difficult diagnosis of early femur head necrosis, localized effect of tantalum rod, different experience of medical worker,caused the contentions about effect of tantalum rod implanting. With development of science, tantalum rod implanting combined with correlative biotechnology should raise the effect in treating femur head necrosis.

[Experimental study on the isolated culture of osteocytes and identification of osteoblasts in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a more stable method to isolate osteocytes in vitro, and then to find the differences with osteoblast biological characteristics. METHODS: Osteocytes and osteoblasts were isolated from the bone tissue of 3-day-old rats using sequential collagenase digestion. The cells were identified through cell morphology after 24 hours later. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit was used to stain the first generation cells by Kaplow-way, the bone gla protein (BGP) of the cells were stained by immunocytochemitry. Measured ALP and computed its activity. RESULTS: Osteocytes and osteoblasts showed obviously differences in cell morphology. Osteocytes were star-shaped or dendrite-shaped within more dendrites, while osteoblasts were spindle-shaped with short dendrites. Osteocytes were negative for ALP, but osteoblasts were positive; Osteocytes were more positive for BGP, and osteoblasts were less positive. The secretion of ALP in osteocytes was lower than that of osteoblasts. CONCLUSION: Osteocytes can be isolated and cultured in vitro. These characteristics of osteocytes are apparently difference with those of osteoblasts.

[Influence of serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) on proliferation of osteoblasts under stretch-stress environment].

OBJECTIVE: To study influence of serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast form neonatal SD rats cultured in vitro at different times and different stretch stress. METHODS: After osteoblast cultured for 24 hours in the serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) and serum in control group, the 0.5 Hz frequency, 6% and 12% stretch-stress were added. The MTT1 and the activity of ALP were measured at the 12th and 24th hours, and the data were analyzed. RESULTS: 1. In the environment of stretch stress to the frequency of 0.5 Hz, and stretched for 24 hours, the osteoblast was stimulated under elongation rate of 6% and 12%; the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast was more active under elongation rate of 12% than that of 6%. 2. There were no stimulating effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation of serum containing Liuwei Dihuiang decoction (see text) acted on osteoblast cells of SD rats cultured in vitro for a shot time. CONCLUSION: Stretch stress environment can enhance osteoblast proliferation and differentiation cultured in vitro.