ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the possible mechanism of Wenjing Tongluo decoction （WTD） in alleviating articular cartilage defect in knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and delaying joint degeneration. Method:The KOA model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection （ACLT）. Mice were classified into sham-operated group， model group， WTD high-dose and low-dose groups， and positive control group. Four weeks after modeling， WTD groups and the positive control group were given WTD （80， 20 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>） and glucosamine sulfate capsules （0.29 g·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， respectively， and the sham-operated group and model group received normal saline of the equivalent volume. After continuous intervention for 4 weeks， hemoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of cartilage and Mankin scoring system was employed to score the knee cartilage. Western blot was combined with Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） to detect the protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor <italic>α</italic> （VEGFA）， vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 （VEGFR2）， extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 （ERK1/2） and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 4 （ADAMTS4）. Result:The Mankin score in the model group increased as compared with that in the sham-operated group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， administration groups demonstrated alleviated articular cartilage defect and low Mankin score （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， but there was no statistical significance in Mankin score between the WTD groups and positive control group. The protein and mRNA levels of VEGFA， VEGFR2， ERK1/2， and ADAMTS4 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operated group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The protein expression of VEGFA and ERK1/2 was inhibited in each administration group as compared with that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the inhibition in the positive control group was stronger than that in the WTD low-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.05） but weaker than that in the WTD high-dose group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Glucosamine Sulfate capsules suppressed the expression of VEGFR2 and ADAMTS4 to the extent the same with low-dose WTD but weaker than the high-dose WTD （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:WTD can relieve the articular cartilage injury in KOA mice， and the mechanism may be related to VEGF/VEGFR2/ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
Objective::To observe the effect of icariin on damaged neurons from the perspective of endoplasmic reticulum stress, in order to explore some mechanisms for repairing damaged neurons. Method::PC12 cells were induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) to differentiate into neurons, and the positive rate of microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) expressions was determined by flow cytometry. The experiment was divided into 4 groups, blank control group: PC12 induced differentiation into neuronal cells, solvent control group: PC12 induced differentiation into neurons+ 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), thapsigargin group: PC12 induced differentiation into nerves Yuan+ 2 μmol·L-1 thapsigargin, and icariin group: PC12 induced differentiation into neurons+ 2 μmol·L-1 thapsigargin+ 0.1 μmol·L-1 icariin. The proliferation of the cells was detected by using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method, the apoptosis of the cells was detected by flow cytometry, the protein expressions of CCAAT/enhace-binding protein homologous protein(CHOP) and glucoseregulated protein 78(Grp78) were detected by Western blot, and the mRNA expressions of CHOP and Grp78 were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). Result::Compared with the solvent control group, the thapsigargin group inhibited the proliferation of neuron-like PC12 cells induced by NGF, promoted apoptosis, and up-regulated the expressions of CHOP and Grp78 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the thapsigargin group, the icariin group can alleviate the inhibition of neurotrophic activity by thapsigargin, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and down-regulate the expressions of CHOP and Grp78 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion::Icariin can inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress by down-regulating the expressions of CHOP and Grp78 and promote the repair of damaged neurons.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of percutaneous coblation nucleoplasty in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and investigate its mechanism of action.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Form January 2015 to January 2017, 21 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were treated by percutaneous coblation nucleoplasty, including 8 males and 13 females with an average age of 49.6 years old ranging from 43 to 61 years old. The course of disease was for 1 to 6 months with a median age of 4 months. Three cases were single segment, 9 cases were double segments, 7 cases were three-segment, 2 cases were four-segment. Intervertebral disc pressure, VAS were compared before and after operation. Angular displacement(AD) and horizontal displacement(HD) were measured by image data and in order to evaluate the cervical stability. Modified MacNab criteria was used to assess clinical effects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up from 1 to 12 months with an average of 8.6 months. Preoperative intervertebral disc pressure was (32.0±5.26) cmH2O and immediately after operation was (21.0±7.18) cmH2O, there was statistical significance between before and after operation(=0.003). Preoperative angular displacement and horizontal displacement was (3.85±1.26) ° and (1.23±0.58) mm, six months after operation was (4.18±1.31) ° and (1.69±0.46) mm, respectively. There was no statistical significance before and after operation(>0.05). Preoperative VAS scores were 7.49±0.53, postoperative at 3 days, 3, 6 months were 3.51±0.49, 2.63±0.61, 2.56±0.71, respectively, and postoperative obtained obvious improvement(<0.05). According to modified MacNab criteria, 6 cases obtained excellent results, 7 good, 4 fair 3 poor at 3 days;10 cases obtained excellent results, 5 good, 3 fair, 2 poor at 3 months; 12 cases obtained excellent results, 6 good, 1 fair, 1 poor at 6 months after operation. Postoperative clinical effect at 6 months was better than 3 d, and 3 months(<0.05), and postoperative at 3 months was better than 3 d(<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Percutaneous coblation nucleoplasty in treating cervical spondylotic radiculopathy can effectively relieve the pain of neck, shoulder and upper limb and can also relieve some associated symptoms such as headache and dizziness.</p>
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Jisuikang (, JSK) on kinetic dysfunction in patients after spinal injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four patients with spinal injury were assigned equally, according to a randomizing digital table to the treated group and the control group. Conventional treatment was given to both groups, and JSK was additionally given to the treated group. Changes of various kinetic function concerning parameters including kinetic score, grades of spinal injury, effectiveness of the treatment and available recovery rate in patients allocated in the treated group and the control group were observed and compared in the way issued by Association of Spinal Injury of America (ASIA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Better effects were shown in the treated group than those in the control group in improving kinetic score (92.00+/-9.95 scores vs 83.76+/-24.12 scores), ASIA overall improvement rate (69.05% vs 45.24%) and grades of effectiveness (P<0.05). However, the difference of available recovery rate between the two groups was insignificant (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>JSK could prevent secondary alteration of spinal injury, promote the recovery and regeneration of nerve tissues, but could not restore the function of a necrotic spine.</p>