Biochanin A attenuates spinal cord injury in rats during early stages by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammasome activation.

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202409000-00038/figure1/v/2024-01-16T170235Z/r/image-tiff Previous studies have shown that Biochanin A, a flavonoid compound with estrogenic effects, can serve as a neuroprotective agent in the context of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury; however, its effect on spinal cord injury is still unclear. In this study, a rat model of spinal cord injury was established using the heavy object impact method, and the rats were then treated with Biochanin A (40 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection for 14 consecutive days. The results showed that Biochanin A effectively alleviated spinal cord neuronal injury and spinal cord tissue injury, reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in spinal cord neurons, and reduced apoptosis and pyroptosis. In addition, Biochanin A inhibited the expression of inflammasome-related proteins (ASC, NLRP3, and GSDMD) and the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-κB pathway, activated the Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathway, and increased the expression of the autophagy markers LC3 II, Beclin-1, and P62. Moreover, the therapeutic effects of Biochanin A on early post-spinal cord injury were similar to those of methylprednisolone. These findings suggest that Biochanin A protected neurons in the injured spinal cord through the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor κB and Nrf2/heme oxygenase 1 signaling pathways. These findings suggest that Biochanin A can alleviate post-spinal cord injury at an early stage.

Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion at L5-S1 Segment Through an Approach Between the Psoas Muscle and the Great Vessels.

Over the years, the oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) technique has gained significant recognition for treating various spinal conditions in lumbar segments L2-L5. However, the adoption of OLIF for the L5-S1 segment has not been widely embraced by the spinal surgery community, given that significant concerns remain regarding the applicability of OLIF for lumbosacral fusion. In this study, a cohort of 20 patients underwent interbody fusion at the L5-S1 level using the OLIF technique through a single retroperitoneal oblique approach positioned between the Psoas muscle and the great vessels. The procedure involved discectomy and endplate preparation accomplished through a surgical window created on the anterolateral side of the L5-S1 disc. For secure interbody fusion cage placement, a supplementary cage insertion approach was employed. All patients were followed up for a minimum of 12 months. The mean preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score for lower back pain was 6.3 ± 1.5 and experienced a significant reduction to 1.2 ± 0.8 at 12 months. The VAS score for lower limb pain significantly decreased from 5.6 ± 1.4 preoperatively to 0.8 ± 0.3 at 12 months after the surgery. Furthermore, the preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) improved from 82.4% ± 16.2% to 8.1% ± 2.0% at 12 months. Radiographic evaluations after surgery confirmed improved lumbosacral junction reconstruction for all patients. At the final follow-up, successful bony fusion was observed in all cases. Based on these findings, the OLIF technique for L5-S1 fusion represents an attainable approach for lumbosacral reconstruction. The procedure's success hinges on a comprehensive preoperative plan and precise intraoperative techniques.

The potential therapeutic roles of dental pulp stem cells in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to serious functional disorders, which have serious impacts on patients and society. The current traditional treatments of SCI are not effective the injured spinal cord is difficult to repair and regenerate. In recent years, stem cell transplantation for the treatment of SCI has been a hot research topic. Dental pulp stem cells have strong abilities of self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation, and have been applied for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. And dental pulp stem cells have certain advantages in neuro-regenetation, bringing new hope to biotherapy for SCI. This article reviews the characteristics of dental pulp stem cells and their research progress in the treatment of SCI.

Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α) reduced inflammation in spinal cord injury via miR-380-3p/ NLRP3 by Circ 0001723

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe central nervous system trauma. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of HIF-1α on inflammation in spinal cord injury (SCI) to uncover the molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation. RESULTS: HIF-1α was reduced in SCI model rats and HIF-1α activation reduced TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-18 levels in SCI model rats. Meanwhile, Circ 0001723 expression was down-regulated and miR-380-3p expression was up-regulated in SCI model rats. In vitro model, down-regulation of Circ 0001723 promoted TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-18 levels, compared with control negative group. However, over-expression of Circ 0001723 reduced TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-18 levels in vitro model. Down-regulation of Circ 0001723 suppressed HIF-1α protein expressions and induced NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein expressions in vitro model by up-regulation of miR-380-3p. Next, inactivation of HIF-1α reduced the pro-inflammation effects of Circ 0001723 in vitro model. Then, si-NLRP3 also inhibited the pro-inflammation effects of Circ 0001723 in vitro model via promotion of autophagy. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that HIF-1α reduced inflammation in spinal cord injury via miR-380-3p/ NLRP3 by Circ 0001723.