FGF21 ameliorates the neurocontrol of blood pressure in the high fructose-drinking rats.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is closely related to various metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. However, the direct targets and mechanisms linking FGF21 to blood pressure control and hypertension are still elusive. Here we demonstrated a novel regulatory function of FGF21 in the baroreflex afferent pathway (the nucleus tractus solitarii, NTS; nodose ganglion, NG). As the critical co-receptor of FGF21, ß-klotho (klb) significantly expressed on the NTS and NG. Furthermore, we evaluated the beneficial effects of chronic intraperitoneal infusion of recombinant human FGF21 (rhFGF21) on the dysregulated systolic blood pressure, cardiac parameters, baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and hyperinsulinemia in the high fructose-drinking (HFD) rats. The BRS up-regulation is associated with Akt-eNOS-NO signaling activation in the NTS and NG induced by acute intravenous rhFGF21 administration in HFD and control rats. Moreover, the expressions of FGF21 receptors were aberrantly down-regulated in HFD rats. In addition, the up-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and -α (PPAR-γ/-α) in the NTS and NG in HFD rats were markedly reversed by chronic rhFGF21 infusion. Our study extends the work of the FGF21 actions on the neurocontrol of blood pressure regulations through baroreflex afferent pathway in HFD rats.

BMP-2/PLGA delayed-release microspheres composite graft, selection of bone particulate diameters, and prevention of aseptic inflammation for bone tissue engineering.

Autogenous bone grafts are widely used in the repair of bone defects. Growth factors such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) can induce bone regeneration and enhance bone growth. The combination of an autogenous bone graft and BMP-2 may provide a better osteogenic effect than either treatment alone, but BMP-2 is easily inactivated in body fluid. The objective of this study was to develop a technique that can better preserve the in vivo activity of BMP-2 incorporated in bone grafts. In this study, we first prepared BMP-2/poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) delayed-release microspheres, and then combined collagen, the delayed-release microspheres, and rat autologous bone particulates to form four groups of composite grafts with different combinations: collagen in group A; collagen combined with bone particulates in group B; collagen combined with BMP-2/PLGA delayed-release microspheres in group C; and collagen combined with both bone particulates and BMP-2/PLGA delayed-release microspheres in group D. The four groups of composite grafts were implanted into the gluteus maximus pockets in rats. The ectopic osteogenesis and ALP level in group D (experimental group) were compared with those in groups A, B, and C (control groups) to study whether it had higher osteogenic capability. Results showed that the composite graft design increased the utility of BMP-2 and reduced the required dose of BMP-2 and volume of autologous bone. The selection of bone particulate diameter had an impact on the osteogenetic potential of bone grafts. Collagen prevented the occurrence of aseptic inflammation and improved the osteoinductivity of BMP-2. These results showed that this composite graft design is effective and feasible for use in bone repair.