Intra-Articular Lactate Dehydrogenase A Inhibitor Oxamate Reduces Experimental Osteoarthritis and Nociception in Rats via Possible Alteration of Glycolysis-Related Protein Expression in Cartilage Tissue.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and joint disorder worldwide. Metabolic reprogramming of osteoarthritic chondrocytes from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis results in the accumulation of lactate from glycolytic metabolite pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), leading to cartilage degeneration. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of the intra-articular administration of oxamate (LDHA inhibitor) against OA development and glycolysis-related protein expression in experimental OA rats. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups: Sham, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT), ACLT + oxamate (0.25 and 2.5 mg/kg). Oxamate-treated groups received an intra-articular injection of oxamate once a week for 5 weeks. Intra-articular oxamate significantly reduced the weight-bearing defects and knee width in ACLT rats. Histopathological analyses showed that oxamate caused significantly less cartilage degeneration in the ACLT rats. Oxamate exerts hypertrophic effects in articular cartilage chondrocytes by inhibiting glucose transporter 1, glucose transporter 3, hexokinase II, pyruvate kinase M2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases 1 and 2, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 2, and LHDA. Further analysis revealed that oxamate significantly reduced chondrocyte apoptosis in articular cartilage. Oxamate attenuates nociception, inflammation, cartilage degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis and possibly attenuates glycolysis-related protein expression in ACLT-induced OA rats. The present findings will facilitate future research on LDHA inhibitors in prevention strategies for OA progression.

Cembranoids from Octocoral Lobophytum crassum (von Marenzeller, 1886).

Two cembranoids, including a new compound, lobocrassin I (1), as well as a known analogue, lobohedleolide (2), were obtained by solvent extraction from octocoral Lobophytum crassum. This study employed a spectroscopic approach to establish the structures of these two cembranoids, and utilized single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis to determine their absolute configurations. The results of biological activity assays demonstrated that cembranoid 2 exhibited bioactivity against the protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.

Chondroprotective Effects of a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Panobinostat, on Pain Behavior and Cartilage Degradation in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection-Induced Experimental Osteoarthritic Rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common articular degenerative disease characterized by chronic pain, joint inflammation, and movement limitations, which are significantly influenced by aberrant epigenetic modifications of numerous OA-susceptible genes. Recent studies revealed that both the abnormal activation and differential expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) might contribute to OA pathogenesis. In this study, we investigated the chondroprotective effects of a marine-derived HDAC inhibitor, panobinostat, on anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced experimental OA rats. The intra-articular administration of 2 or 10 µg of panobinostat (each group, n = 7) per week from the 6th to 17th week attenuates ACLT-induced nociceptive behaviors, including secondary mechanical allodynia and weight-bearing distribution. Histopathological and microcomputed tomography analysis showed that panobinostat significantly prevents cartilage degeneration after ACLT. Moreover, intra-articular panobinostat exerts hypertrophic effects in the chondrocytes of articular cartilage by regulating the protein expressions of HDAC4, HDAC6, HDAC7, runt-domain transcription factor-2, and matrix metalloproteinase-13. The study indicated that HDACs might have different modulations on the chondrocyte phenotype in the early stages of OA development. These results provide new evidence that panobinostat may be a potential therapeutic drug for OA.

Excavatolide B Attenuates Rheumatoid Arthritis through the Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis.

Osteoclasts are multinucleated giant cells of macrophage/monocyte lineage, and cell differentiation with the upregulation of osteoclast-related proteins is believed to play a major role in the destruction of the joints in the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), can be overexpressed in RA and lead to osteoclastogenesis. In a previous study, we found that cultured-type soft coral-derived excavatolide B (Exc-B) exhibited anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we thus aimed to evaluate the anti-arthritic activity of Exc-B in in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that Exc-B inhibits LPS-induced multinucleated cell and actin ring formation, as well as TRAP, MMP-9, and cathepsin K expression. Additionally, Exc-B significantly attenuated the characteristics of RA in adjuvant (AIA) and type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats. Moreover, Exc-B improved histopathological features, and reduced the number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in the in vivo AIA and CIA models. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that Exc-B attenuated the protein expression of cathepsin K, MMP-2, MMP-9, CD11b, and NFATc1 in ankle tissues of AIA and CIA rats. Level of interleukin-17A and macrophage colony-stimulating factor were also decreased by Exc-B. These findings strongly suggest that Exc-B could be of potential use as a therapeutic agent by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation in arthritis. Moreover, this study also illustrates the use of the anti-inflammatory marine compound, Exc-B, as a potential therapeutic strategy for RA.

The effect of an anaesthetic patient information video on perioperative anxiety: A randomised study.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing evidence that an educational anaesthesia video can effectively reduce perioperative anxiety, the ideal medium for addressing perioperative anxiety is unclear. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of viewing an anaesthetic patient information video on anxiety levels in patients scheduled to undergo surgery. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING: Pingtung Christian Hospital (PTCH), Taiwan. PATIENTS: One hundred patients were randomised to either an experimental group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 50). INTERVENTIONS: At the preoperative clinic, the experimental group watched the an 8 minute educational anaesthetic video, whereas the control group received a standard 8-min verbal briefing on anaesthesia after preoperative assessment. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The Chinese version of the Spielberger state trait anxiety inventory, which included a state scale (STAI-S) and a trait scale (STAI-T), was performed in the preoperative clinic (T1) before anaesthetic preassessment, at the preoperative holding area just before surgery (T2) and again on the third day after surgery (T3). Scores for overall satisfaction with medical care were obtained on the third day after surgery. For two time interval comparisons, effect size was used to standardise the extent of change as measured by STAI-S. RESULTS: After the educational intervention, state anxiety was lower in the experimental group than in the control group at both T2 (42.9 ±â€Š6.5 vs. 45.0 ±â€Š12.7) and T3 (40.2 ±â€Š5.3 vs. 48.8 ±â€Š8.5). Compared with control group, the experimental group had a larger effect size at T2 and T3 (-0.65 and -0.36, respectively). Overall satisfaction was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Perioperative anxiety was significantly reduced and overall patient satisfaction increased after viewing a preoperative educational anaesthesia video compared with a standard verbal briefing on anaesthesia.

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of the Marine-Derived Compound Excavatolide B Isolated from the Culture-Type Formosan Gorgonian Briareum excavatum.

In recent years, several marine-derived compounds have been clinically evaluated. Diterpenes are secondary metabolites from soft coral that exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and cytotoxic activities. In the present study, we isolated a natural diterpene product, excavatolide B, from cultured Formosan gorgonian Briareum excavatum and investigated its anti-inflammatory activities. We found that excavatolide B significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of the proinflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged murine macrophages (RAW 264.7). We also examined the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of excavatolide B on intraplantar carrageenan-induced inflammatory responses. Excavatolide B was found to significantly attenuate carrageenan-induced nociceptive behaviors, mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, weight bearing deficits and paw edema. In addition, excavatolide B inhibited iNOS, as well as the infiltration of immune cells in carrageenan-induced inflammatory paw tissue.

Manoalide Induces Intrinsic Apoptosis by Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Human Osteosarcoma Cells.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor that produces immature osteoid. Metastatic OS has a poor prognosis with a death rate of >70%. Manoalide is a natural sesterterpenoid isolated from marine sponges. It is a phospholipase A2 inhibitor with anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-cancer properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and effect of manoalide on OS cells. Our experiments showed that manoalide induced cytotoxicity in 143B and MG63 cells (human osteosarcoma). Treatment with manoalide at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 µM for 24 and 48 h reduced MG63 cell viability to 45.13-4.40% (p < 0.01). Meanwhile, manoalide caused reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and disrupted antioxidant proteins, activating the apoptotic proteins caspase-9/-3 and PARP (Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase). Excessive levels of ROS in the mitochondria affected oxidative phosphorylation, ATP generation, and membrane potential (ΔΨm). Additionally, manoalide down-regulated mitochondrial fusion protein and up-regulated mitochondrial fission protein, resulting in mitochondrial fragmentation and impaired function. On the contrary, a pre-treatment with n-acetyl-l-cysteine ameliorated manoalide-induced apoptosis, ROS, and antioxidant proteins in OS cells. Overall, our findings show that manoalide induces oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis, causing the cell death of OS cells, showing potential as an innovative alternative treatment in human OS.

Sinularin Induces Oxidative Stress-Mediated Apoptosis and Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Inhibits Angiogenesis in Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a cancer of largely unknown cause that leads to a 5-year survival rate of approximately 7% in the United States. Current treatment strategies are not effective, indicating a strong need for the development of novel therapies. In this study, the outcomes of sinularin, a marine-derived product, were evaluated against GBM. Our cellular studies using GBM cells revealed that sinularin induces cell death. The measured half maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) values ranged from 30 to 6 µM at 24-72 h. Cell death was induced via the generation of ROS leading to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. This was evidenced by annexin V/propidium iodine staining and an upregulation of cleaved forms of the pro-apoptotic proteins caspase 9, 3, and PARP, and supported by CellROXTM Green, MitoSOXTM Red, and CM-H2DCFDA staining methods. In addition, we observed a downregulation of the antioxidant enzymes SOD1/2 and thioredoxin. Upon treatment with sinularin at the ~IC50 concentration, mitochondrial respiration capacities were significantly reduced, as shown by measuring the oxygen consumption rates and enzymatic complexes of oxidative phosphorylation. Intriguingly, sinularin significantly inhibited indicators of angiogenesis such as vessel tube formation, cell migration, and cell mobility in human umbilical vein endothelial cells or the fusion cell line EA.Hy926. Lastly, in a transgenic zebrafish model, intersegmental vessel formation was also significantly inhibited by sinularin treatment. These findings indicate that sinularin exerts anti-brain cancer properties that include apoptosis induction but also antiangiogenesis.

The antimicrobial peptide tilapia piscidin 3 induces mitochondria-modulated intrinsic apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common solid tumor of the bone that most often affects adolescents. The introduction of chemotherapy for the treatment of OS has largely improved the survival rates of patients with localized tumors. However, the 5-year survival rate of OS patients with relapsed or metastatic disease is only 10 to 20%. In this study, the antimicrobial peptide tilapia piscidin 3 (TP3), isolated from Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), was treated to OS MG63 cells. Our findings showed that TP3 concentration as low as 1 µM induced significant inhibition of cell viability and increased DNA fragmentation, as determined by the MTT and TUNEL assays, respectively. The protein expression levels of cleaved caspases 3/9 were increased. An in situ live-cell time-lapse video and cell tomographic microscopy images showed cellular blebbing, shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, and chromatin condensation, with the formation of beaded apoptopodia. Moreover, there were significant increase in the production of TP3-induced mitochondrial and cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as down-regulated mitochondrial oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates. Additionally, TP3 enhanced mitochondrial fission, whereas fusion was attenuated. Furthermore, after administration of the mitochondria targeted antioxidant mitoTempo, TP3-induced ROS oxidant levels and alterations in cleaved caspases 3/9 expression were rescued. TP3 promoted mitochondria-modulated intrinsic apoptosis through the induction of ROS production, activation of caspases 3/9, and the down-regulation of mitochondrial oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates, suggesting that TP3 has potential as an innovative alternative for OS treatment.

Etoricoxib prevents progression of osteolysis in repeated intra-articular monosodium urate-induced gouty arthritis in rats.

Deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joint or synovium is the major factor in Gouty arthritis (GA). The clinical features of chronic and recurrent GA include pain and the subsequent development of chronic tophaceous GA with multiple tophi deposits accompanied by osteolysis. The majority of previous animal studies have focused on MSU-induced acute GA without making observations regarding osteolysis. In the study, intra-articular injections of MSU into the knee (2 times/week for 10 weeks) was used to induce chronic and recurrent attacks of GA that in turn induced progressive osteolysis. Moreover, we also evaluated whether the clinical, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) etoricoxib attenuated the osteoclastogenesis of progressive osteolysis. The knee morphometry and the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related proteins (cathepsin K and matrix metalloproteinase-9 and -13) in the knee were examined by micro-CT and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results showed that oral etoricoxib not only significantly attenuated the nociceptive behaviors of the rats but that it also inhibited the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related proteins in their knee joints in chronic and recurrent attacks of GA. Our findings thus suggest that NSAIDs not only inhibit nociception but also prevent the progression of osteolysis in chronic and repeated attacks of GA.

Calcitonin attenuates cartilage degeneration and nociception in an experimental rat model of osteoarthritis: role of TGF-ß in chondrocytes.

We investigated the role of the calcitonin (Miacalcin) in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and in nociceptive behavior in an experimental rat model of OA and osteoporosis. OA was induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) of the right knee and by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) in Wistar rats. Nociceptive behaviors (secondary mechanical allodynia and weight-bearing distribution of the hind paws) were analyzed prior to surgery and every week, beginning at 12 weeks after surgery, up to 20 weeks. At 20 weeks, histopathological studies were performed on the cartilage of the knee joints. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to examine the effect of calcitonin on transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 expression in articular cartilage chondrocytes. Rats subjected to ACLT + OVX surgery showed obvious OA changes in the joints. Animals subjected to ACLT + OVX and treated with calcitonin showed significantly less cartilage degeneration and improved nociceptive tests compared with animals subjected to ACLT + OVX surgeries alone. Moreover, calcitonin increased TGF-ß1 expression in chondrocytes in ACLT + OVX-affected cartilage. Subcutaneous injection of calcitonin (1) attenuated the development of OA, (2) concomitantly reduced nociception, and (3) modulated chondrocyte metabolism, possibly by increasing cellular TGF-ß1 expression.

Lemnalol attenuates mast cell activation and osteoclast activity in a gouty arthritis model.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated the effects of a soft coral-derived anti-inflammatory compound, lemnalol, on mast cell (MC) function and osteoclast activity in rats with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced gouty arthritis. METHODS: In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects of lemnalol on intra-articular injection of MSU induces gouty arthritis with the measurement of ankle oedema. Toluidine blue staining were used to analyse the infiltration and the percentage degranulation MCs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed CD117, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), the osteoclast markers cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) protein expression in ankle tissue. KEY FINDINGS: We found that both infiltration and degranulation of MCs increased at 24 h after MSU injection in the ankle joint. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that MSU induced upregulation of TGF-ß1, MMP-9, the osteoclast markers cathepsin K and TRAP in ankle tissues. Administration of lemnalol ameliorated MSU-induced TGF-ß1, MMP-9, cathepsin K and TRAP protein expression. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results show that MSU-induced gouty arthritis is accompanied by osteoclast-related protein upregulation and that lemnalol treatment may be beneficial for the attenuation of MC infiltration and degranulation and for suppressing osteoclast activation in gouty arthritis.