Role of Autophagy in Angiogenesis Induced by a High-Glucose Condition in RF/6A Cells.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of autophagy on vitality, migration, and tube formation of RF/6A cells under the condition of D-glucose. METHODS: Cultured RF/6A cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (control, low glucose, high glucose, and high glucose with 3-methyladenine [3-MA]). Autophagy-related proteins (Atg7, p62, and LC3) were monitored. Cell vitality, cell migration, tube formation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and apoptosis were assessed. RESULTS: Cell vitality significantly decreased and cell migration and tube formation significantly increased in the high-glucose group (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA significantly increased cell viability and inhibited cell migration and tube formation (p < 0.05). ROS production increased in the high-glucose group and decreased in the high-glucose with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) group (p < 0.05). The level of apoptosis increased in the high-glucose group, while it was reduced in the high-glucose with 3-MA group. CONCLUSION: Autophagy maybe participates in the formation of retinal neovascularization induced by high glucose.

Psychological stress delays periodontitis healing in rats: the involvement of basic fibroblast growth factor.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of psychological stress on periodontitis healing in rats and the contribution of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression to the healing process. METHODS: Ninety-six rats were randomly distributed into control group, periodontitis group, and periodontitis plus stress group. Then, the rats were sacrificed at baseline and week(s) 1, 2, and 4. The periodontitis healing condition was assessed, and the expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and bFGF were tested by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The stressed rats showed reduced body weight gain, behavioral changes, and increased serum corticosterone and ACTH levels (P < 0.05). The surface of inflammatory infiltrate, alveolar bone loss, attachment loss, and expression of IL-1ß and TNF-α in the stress group were higher than those in the periodontitis group at weeks 2 and 4 (P < 0.05). Rats with experimental periodontitis showed decreased bFGF expression (P < 0.05), and the recovery of bFGF expression in the stress group was slower than that in the periodontitis group (P < 0.05). Negative correlations between inflammatory cytokines and bFGF were detected. CONCLUSION: Psychological stress could delay periodontitis healing in rats, which may be partly mediated by downregulation of the expression of bFGF in the periodontal ligament.