[Dexmedetomidine suppresses mechanical allodynia by inhibiting hyperpolarization-activated inward current].

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on neuropathic pain in the chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion (CCD) rat model and the underlying mechanism. Pain behavioral tests were applied to observe the effects of DEX on mechanical allodynia in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Whole cell patch clamp was used to observe the influence of DEX on excitability and hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih) of C- and Aδ-type dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The results showed that mechanical allodynia of CCD rats was significantly inhibited by DEX (P < 0.05). In C- and Aδ-type DRG neurons from the CCD rats, DEX significantly increased rheobase and after hyperpolarizing potential, as well as decreased Ih current density. These results suggest that DEX could attenuate the neuropathic pain in the CCD rats, and the mechanism might be related to the depressed Ih current density and excitability of C- and Aδ-type DRG neurons.

The multiple functional roles of mesenchymal stem cells in participating in treating liver diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a group of stem cells derived from the mesodermal mesenchyme. MSCs can be obtained from a variety of tissues, including bone marrow, umbilical cord tissue, umbilical cord blood, peripheral blood and adipose tissue. Under certain conditions, MSCs can differentiate into many cell types both in vitro and in vivo, including hepatocytes. To date, four main strategies have been developed to induce the transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes: addition of chemical compounds and cytokines, genetic modification, adjustment of the micro-environment and alteration of the physical parameters used for culturing MSCs. Although the phenomenon of transdifferentiation of MSCs into hepatocytes has been described, the detailed mechanism is far from clear. Generally, the mechanism is a cascade reaction whereby stimulating factors activate cellular signalling pathways, which in turn promote the production of transcription factors, leading to hepatic gene expression. Because MSCs can give rise to hepatocytes, they are promising to be used as a new treatment for liver dysfunction or as a bridge to liver transplantation. Numerous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of MSCs on hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and other liver diseases, which may be related to the differentiation of MSCs into functional hepatocytes. In addition to transdifferentiation into hepatocytes, when MSCs are used to treat liver disease, they may also inhibit hepatocellular apoptosis and secrete various bioactive molecules to promote liver regeneration. In this review, the capacity and molecular mechanism of MSC transdifferentiation, and the therapeutic effects of MSCs on liver diseases are thoroughly discussed.

Sinusoidal Endothelial Cell Progenitor Cells Promote Tumour Progression in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: As sinusoidal endothelial cell progenitor cells (SEPCs) play a significant role in liver regeneration, it is necessary to elucidate whether SEPCs participate in tumour progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A total of 45 patients with primary HCC who underwent liver resection were included in this study. The liver tumours were removed from the patients, and partial tissues were prepared to identify SEPCs through double staining of CD133/CD45 and CD133/CD31 at the same location. Blood samples were collected to examine liver function parameters and tumour markers. The demographics and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were collected for correlation analysis with SEPCs. RESULTS: SEPCs were observed in several blood vessels within the HCC nodules of all 45 patients, but no SEPCs were detected in the tumour-adjacent tissues. The number of SEPCs was correlated with the expression levels of HCC tumour markers α-fetoprotein (AFP) and CA199. There was a positive correlation between the expression of SEPC markers and diameter of HCC tumours in differently differentiated specimens (P < 0.01). The expression levels of SEPC markers were significantly higher in patients with poorly differentiated HCC than in patients with moderately and highly differentiated HCC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SEPCs are closely associated with HCC progression; therefore, SEPCs may be considered potential prognostic and metastatic biomarkers and therapeutic candidates for HCC.