Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen drug-containing serum promotes proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts

Jian-Pi-Yi-Shen (JPYS) decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal formula. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of JPYS drug-containing serum on the proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts. Sprague‒Dawley rats were fed JPYS decoction, calcium supplement, or normal saline for 6 weeks, and the serum was collected. Mouse osteoblasts were treated with JPYS drug-containing serum, calcium supplement serum, or blank control serum. Cell proliferation was assayed using thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide. Levels of alkaline phosphatase, nitric oxide, and nitric oxide synthase in the culture medium were measured. The JPYS drug-containing serum significantly improved the proliferation of osteoblasts compared to the blank control serum and the calcium supplement serum. It also significantly increased the levels of alkaline phosphatase in the culture medium compared to the blank control serum and the calcium supplement serum. Treatment with JPYS drug-containing serum for 48 h and 72 h significantly increased the nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the culture medium compared to the blank control serum. The NOS activity of the osteoblasts was significantly increased by JPYS drug-containing serum compared to blank control serum and calcium supplement serum. All these results were enhanced that the JPYS decoction promotes the proliferation and activity of mouse osteoblasts. These effects may be the underlying mechanisms of JPYS decoction in treating osteoporosis.

Application of a lateral intertubercular sulcus plate in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures: a finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Inversion deformities caused by insufficient medial support are especially common when the PHILOS locking plate is used to treat proximal humeral fractures. Using finite element analysis, we aimed to compare the biomechanical properties of a PHILOS locking plate (PLP) and a PLP combined with a lateral intertubercular sulcus plate (PLP-LSP) in the fixation of proximal humeral fractures with loss of the medial column. METHODS: After creating a three-dimensional finite element model of a proximal humeral fracture with loss of the medial column, three implant models were established. A full-screw PLP was used in Group A, a PHILOS plate lacking medial screw support and an additional steel plate (MPLP-LSP) were used in Group B, and a full-screw PLP-LSP was used in Group C. The three fixation models were applied to the proximal humeral fracture model, following which horizontal, compressive, and rotational loads were applied to the humerus model. We evaluated structural stiffness and stress distribution in the implant and compared displacement and angle changes among the three models. RESULTS: Displacement and angle changes were smallest in Group C (PLP-LSP). The implant model used in Group C also exhibited greater structural rigidity, endured less von Mises stress, and was more stable than the models used in Group A and Group B. CONCLUSION: An LSP placed at the intertubercular sulcus provides effective lateral and medial support, thereby reducing stress on the PLP and providing better stability with proximal humeral fractures.

Total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae ameliorate steroid­induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head via the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Steroid­induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is a common orthopaedic disease that is difficult to treat. The present study investigated the effects of total flavonoids of Rhizoma drynariae (TFRD) on SANFH and explored its underlying mechanisms. The SANFH rat model was induced by intramuscular injection of lipopolysaccharides and methylprednisolone. Osteoblasts were isolated from the calvariae of neonatal rats and then cultured with dexamethasone (Dex). TFRD was used in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Haematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the pathological changes in the femoral head. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase­mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labelling assay and flow cytometry were conducted to detect apoptosis of osteoblasts. The 2',7'­dichlorofluorescein­diacetate staining method was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in osteoblasts and the 3­(4,5­dimethylthiazol­2­yl)­2,5­diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was used to detect osteoblast proliferation. The expression of caspase­3, Bax, Bcl­2, VEGF, runt­related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteoprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin (OCN), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway related­proteins were detected via western blotting. It was found that TFRD reduced the pathological changes, inhibited apoptosis, increased the expression of VEGF, RUNX2, OPG and OCN, decreased RANKL expression and activated the PI3K/AKT pathway in SANFH rats. TFRD promoted proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and reduced ROS levels by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway in osteoblasts. In conclusion, TFRD protected against SANFH in a rat model. In addition, TFRD protected osteoblasts from Dex­induced damage through the PI3K/AKT pathway. The findings of the present study may contribute to find an effective treatment for the management of SANFH.