Chondrogenic effect of liquid and gelled platelet lysate on canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

Osteoarthritis associated with hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic abnormalities in dogs, with an incidence of up to 40% in some breeds. Tissue therapy of cartilage has received great attention, with use of mesenchymal stromal cells and different types of biomaterials. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of platelet lysate (PL) on the proliferation and differentiation of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs), in liquid culture or hydrogels. PL was prepared from blood collected from healthy dogs and submitted to freezing-thawing cycles, and hydrogel was formed with canine thrombin. The effect of PL on the proliferation and differentiation of canine ASCs was evaluated in liquid and hydrogel systems, with microscopy, quantification of dsDNA, histology and quantification of glycosaminoglycans. The addition of 5% or 10% PL to the culture medium induced a greater proliferation rate than the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum. The cultivation of ASCs in PL gel, with normal or chondrogenic medium, resulted in maintenance of proliferation level similar to the conventional 2D cultivation, and induction of chondrogenic differentiation, especially in the presence of the chondrogenesis induction medium.

Immunomodulatory effect of Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide on experimental hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Stichopus japonicus acid mucopolysaccharide (SJAMP) is an important biologically active compound that can be extracted from the body wall of the sea cucumber. The present study investigated the anti-tumor and immunomodulatory effects of SJAMP in an experimental hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) model in rats. Three doses of SJAMP (17.5 mg/kg, 35 mg/kg, and 70 mg/kg administered 5 days/week via oral gavage) were given to rats with diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. SJAMP treatment significantly inhibited DEN-induced HCC by reducing both the number and mean volume of nodules, decreasing serum a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in liver, and increasing p21 expression. Furthermore, SJAMP decreased the serum levels of ALT, AST, GGT and TNF-α and increased serum IL-2. SJAMP administration also improved indices of spleen and thymus function and improved both macrophage phagocytosis and NK cell-mediated tumoricidal activity. Moreover, CD3+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte levels recovered significantly and the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio normalized in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, SJAMP effectively inhibited the growth of HCC through the stimulation of immune organs and tissue proliferation, leading to the enhancement of cellular immunity pathways in rats.

Pattern of anesthetic diffusion during peribulbar infiltration: a CT evaluation.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes undergone by orbital structures during peribulbar anesthesia. METHODS: CT-thin slices were acquired and 8-9 ml of anesthetic, with a small part of low-density non-ionic water-soluble contrast medium were injected under CT guide once to follow extraconal spreading and diffusion to intraconal structures and above all, the surgically important structures such as recti muscles, orbicular and optic nerve sheath. Conjunctival sack involvement was assessed and conjunctival chemosis was rated. Induced ptosis was evaluated, verifying change before and after eyepressure. RESULTS: The results help in optimizing anesthetic technique, above all concerning the site, materials and quantity, and suggest the amount of anesthesia could be reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The peribulbar anesthetic technique proved effective and safe for patients.

Peribulbar anaesthesia: the role of local anaesthetic volumes and Thiomucase in motor block and intraocular pressure.

Peribulbar anaesthesia is a useful regional anaesthesia and akinesia technique for eye surgery. We studied changes in muscular akinesia and intraocular pressure under peribulbar anaesthesia caused by different volumes of 0.75% bupivacaine with or without the addition of Thiomucase (chondroitin sulphatase) in patients undergoing cataract surgery. A total of 120 patients were randomly allocated into four groups: group 1, bupivacaine 5 mL; group 2, bupivacaine 5 mL plus Thiomucase 10 U mL-1; group 3, bupivacaine 9 mL; group 4, bupivacaine 9 mL plus Thiomucase 10 U mL-1. We assessed: (1) akinesia according to mobility in the four quadrants of the eyeball and the palpebral opening using a scoring system between 0 (total akinesia) and 10 (full movement); and (2) intraocular pressure before, immediately after and 15 min after peribulbar anaesthesia. A significantly better motor blockade was observed in groups 2, 3 and 4 than in group 1 (P < 0.05). Thiomucase increased the quality of motor blockade in group 2, but not in group 4. Intraocular pressure increased by 5-10 mmHg in comparison with baseline values and, after 15 min application of Honan's balloon, decreased by 8-10 mmHg in comparison with baseline values, with no significant differences between groups. Thiomucase can improve the motor block if a lower volume of local anaesthetic is used. The administration of 5 or 9 mL volumes or the addition of Thiomucase decreases the the intraocular pressure in a similar way.