3D-Printed PLA Scaffold with Fibronectin Enhances In Vitro Osteogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Tricalcium phosphate (TCP, Molecular formula: Ca3(PO4)2) is a hydrophilic bone graft biomaterial extensively used for guided bone regeneration (GBR). However, few studies have investigated 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) combined with the osteo-inductive molecule fibronectin (FN) for enhanced osteoblast performance in vitro, and specialized bone defect treatments. AIM: This study evaluated PLA properties and efficacy following glow discharge plasma (GDP) treatment and FN sputtering for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printed PLA alloplastic bone grafts. METHODS: 3D trabecular bone scaffolds (8 × 1 mm) were printed by the 3D printer (XYZ printing, Inc. 3D printer da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3-in-1). After printing PLA scaffolds, additional groups for FN grafting were continually prepared with GDP treatment. Material characterization and biocompatibility evaluations were investigated at 1, 3 and 5 days. RESULTS: SEM images showed the human bone mimicking patterns, and EDS illustrated the increased C and O after fibronectin grafting, XPS and FTIR results together confirmed the presence of FN within PLA material. Degradation increased after 150 days due to FN presence. 3D immunofluorescence at 24 h demonstrated better cell spreading, and MTT assay results showed the highest proliferation with PLA and FN (p < 0.001). Cells cultured on the materials exhibited similar alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production. Relative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at 1 and 5 days revealed a mixed osteoblast gene expression pattern. CONCLUSION: In vitro observations over a period of five days, it was clear that PLA/FN 3D-printed alloplastic bone graft was more favorable for osteogenesis than PLA alone, thereby demonstrating great potential for applications in customized bone regeneration.

The effects of a combination of 3D virtual reality and hands-on horticultural activities on mastery, achievement motives, self-esteem, isolation and depression: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Aging societies are a public health concern worldwide. It is critical to develop strategies that harness technology to enhance older adults' mastery, achievement motives, self-esteem, isolation and depression effectively. METHODS: This study aimed to explore the effects of a combination of three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) and hands-on horticultural activities on the psychological well-being of community-dwelling older adults. We used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 62 community-dwelling older adults were recruited and assigned to the experimental (n = 32) and comparison groups (n = 30). The members of the experimental group participated in an 8-week intervention program. Participants of both groups completed before-and-after intervention measurements for outcome variables that included perceived self-esteem, depression, isolation, and mastery and achievement motives, which were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). A baseline score of depression was used as an adjustment for the GEE analyses to eliminate the effects of depression on outcomes. RESULTS: After controlling age and gender as confounders, GEE analyses indicated that the experimental group showed significant post-intervention improvements in scores for self-esteem (ß = 2.18, P = .005) and mastery (ß = 1.23, P = .039), compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study supported a combination of three-dimensional VR and hands-on horticultural activities on community-dwelling older adults to improve self-esteem and mastery. The findings suggest that the future implementation of a similar program would be feasible and beneficial to community-dwelling older adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was posted on www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (NCT05087654) on 21/10/2021. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board of En Chu Kong Hospital and performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Guided Tissue Regeneration Treatment Yields Better Results in Class II Furcations in the Mandible Than in the Maxilla: A Retrospective Study.

Absorbable porcine collagen membrane with a bovine bone graft can be considered for regenerative treatment in periodontal class II furcation defects. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment with bovine bone xenograft and a porcine collagen membrane in molars with class II furcations. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bone level (BL) were recorded at baseline and at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Thirty class II furcation defects from the lower and upper molars were assessed. Significant improvements in PD and CAL were observed from baseline to 9 months in all groups (p < 0.01). BL improved in all groups except group A in the upper molars in radiographic assessment (p < 0.05). The lower and upper molars showed PD reduction of 50.5% ± 7.44% and 46.2% ± 11.2%, respectively, at 9 months (p = 0.044). In furcations of 1-3 mm, the lower and upper molars showed PD reductions of 51.2% ± 4.49% and 36.5% ± 16.14%, respectively (p = 0.035). The lower and upper molars showed a CAL gain of 51.1% ± 4.64% and 33.6% ± 18.8%, respectively (p = 0.037). Thus, GTR with bovine bone graft and porcine collagen membrane yielded good results in class II furcations, with better results in the lower than in the upper molars.

Surface Modified ß-Tricalcium phosphate enhanced stem cell osteogenic differentiation in vitro and bone regeneration in vivo.

A major number of studies have demonstrated Beta-tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) biocompatibility, bioactivity, and osteoconductivity characteristics in bone regeneration. The aim of this research was to enhance ß-TCP's biocompatibility, and evaluate its physicochemical properties by argon glow discharge plasma (GDP) plasma surface treatment without modifying its surface. Treated ß-TCP was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy characterization. To evaluate treated ß-TCP biocompatibility and osteoblastic differentiation, water-soluble tetrazolium salts-1 (WST-1), immunofluorescence, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) were done using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The results indicated a slight enhancement of the ß-TCP by GDP sputtering, which resulted in a higher Ca/P ratio (2.05) than the control. Furthermore, when compared with control ß-TCP, we observed an improvement of WST-1 on all days (p < 0.05) as well as of ALP activity (day 7, p < 0.05), with up-regulation of ALP, osteocalcin, and Osteoprotegerin osteogenic genes in cells cultured with the treated ß-TCP. XPS and SEM results indicated that treated ß-TCP's surface was not modified. In vivo, micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis indicated that the ß-TCP test managed to regenerate more new bone than the untreated ß-TCP and control defects at 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Argon GDP treatment is a viable method for removing macro and micro particles of < 7 µm in size from ß-TCP bigger particles surfaces and therefore improving its biocompatibility with slight surface roughness modification, enhancing hMSCs proliferation, osteoblastic differentiation, and stimulating more new bone formation.

Glow Discharge Plasma Treatment on Zirconia Surface to Enhance Osteoblastic-Like Cell Differentiation and Antimicrobial Effects.

Peri-implantitis is the pathological condition of connective tissue inflammation and the progressive loss of supporting bone around dental implants. One of the primary causes of peri mucositis evolving into peri-implantitis is bacterial infection, including infection from Porphyromonas gingivalis. Enhancing the surface smoothness of implants helps to prevent P. gingivalis adhesion to the implant's surface. Interaction analyses between bacteria and the surface roughness of zirconia (Zr) discs subjected to a glow discharge plasma (GDP) treatment compared with non-plasma-treated autoclaved control Zr discs were done. Examinations of the material prosperities revealed that the GDP-treated Zr group had a smoother surface for a better wettability. The GDP-treated Zr discs improved the proliferation of the osteoblast-like cells MG-63, and the osteoblastic differentiation was assessed through alkaline phosphatase detection and marker gene bone sialoprotein (Bsp) and osteocalcin (OC) induction. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated a relatively low P. gingivalis adhesion on GDP-treated Zr disks, as well as lower colonization of P. gingivalis compared with the control. Our findings confirmed that the GDP treatment of Zr discs resulted in a significant reduction of P. gingivalis adhesion and growth, demonstrating a positive correlation between surface roughness and bacteria adhesion. Therefore, the GDP treatment of Zr dental implants can provide a method for reducing the risk of peri-implantitis.

Porcine Collagen-Bone Composite Induced Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Regeneration In Vitro and In Vivo.

Due to autogenous bone limitations, some substitute bone grafts were developed. Collagenated porcine graft (CPG) is able to regenerate new bone, although the number of studies is insufficient, highlighting the need for future studies to better understand the biomaterial. In order to understand better CPG's possible dental guided bone regeneration indications, the aim of this work was to determine CPG's biological capacity to induce osteoblast differentiation in vitro and guided bone regeneration in vivo, whilst being compared with commercial hydroxyapatite and beta tricalcium phosphate (HA/ß-TCP) and porcine graft alone. Cell cytotoxicity (WST-1), alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were assessed in vitro. Critical size defects of New Zealand white rabbits were used for the in vivo part, with critical size defect closures and histological analyses. WST-1 and ALP indicated that CPG directly stimulated a greater proliferation and confluency of cells with osteoblastic differentiation in vitro. Gene sequencing indicated stable bone formation markers, decreased resorption makers, and bone remodeling coupling factors, making the transition from osteoclast to osteoblast expression at the end of seven days. CPG resulted in the highest new bone regeneration by osteoconduction in critical size defects of rabbit calvaria at eight weeks. Nonetheless, all biomaterials achieved nearly complete calvaria defect closure. CPG was found to be osteoconductive, like porcine graft and HA/ß-TCP, but with higher new bone formation in critical size defects of rabbit calvaria at eight weeks. CPG can be used for different dental guided bone regeneration procedures; however, further studies are necessary.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Endogenous Antioxidants and Patterns of Dental Visits of Periodontitis Patients.

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease, wherein endogenous antioxidants help to balance the inflammatory status. Oral health behaviors are related to the periodontal disease status. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between oral health behaviors and endogenous antioxidants in periodontitis patients. In total, 225 subjects diagnosed with periodontitis were enrolled in the study. Information obtained from the initial interview included socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and oral health-related behaviors. The clinical periodontal parameters evaluated included bleeding on probing (BOP), the plaque index (PI), and probing depth (PD). Stimulated saliva was collected before periodontal therapy to determine five endogenous antioxidants (copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), manganese SOD (MnSOD), thioredoxin 1 (Trx1), peroxiredoxin 2 (Prx2), and catalase (CAT)). When these five factors were adjusted for in patients whose last previous dental visit was >1 year, the patients' PI, BOP, and PD showed significant decreases because of an elevation in the Cu/Zn SOD level. Associations of endogenous antioxidants with levels of clinical periodontal parameters were much higher in subjects whose last previous dental visit was >1 year, compared to subjects whose last previous dental visit was <1 year. This study provides a better understanding of dental visit patterns and the salivary endogenous antioxidants that may underlie the symptomatic development of preclinical periodontitis.

Non-Hepatic Alkaline Phosphatase, hs-CRP and Progression of Vertebral Fracture in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Interactions and early warning effects of non-hepatic alkaline phosphatase (NHALP) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on the progression of vertebral fractures (VFs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain unclear. We aim to explore whether serum concentrations of NHALP and hs-CRP could serve as a promising dual biomarker for prognostic assessment of VF progression. METHODS: Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of VF progression were calculated for different categories of serum NHALP and hs-CRP using the Cox regression model in RA patients. The modification effect between serum NHALP and hs-CRP on VF progression was determined using an interaction product term. RESULTS: During 4489 person-years of follow-up, higher NHALP (>125 U/L) and hs-CRP (>3.0 mg/L) were robustly associated with incremental risks of VF progression in RA patients (aHR: 2.2 (95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.2⁻3.9) and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.3⁻3.3) compared to the lowest HR category, respectively). The interaction between NHALP and hs-CRP on VF progression was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the stratified analysis, patients with combined highest NHALP and hs-CRP had the greatest risk of VF progression (aHR: 4.9 (95% CI: 2.5⁻9.6)) compared to the lowest HR group (NHALP < 90 U/L and hs-CRP < 1 mg/L). CONCLUSIONS: In light of underdiagnoses of VFs and misleading diagnosis by single test, NHALP and hs-CRP could serve as compensatory biomarkers to predict subclinical VF progression in RA patients.

Galectin-3 Interacts with Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 to Increase Cardiovascular Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Interactions and joint effects of galectin-3 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) on risks of all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality remain unclear in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). METHODS: Unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of mortality risks were analyzed between higher and lower concentration groups of serum galectin-3 and VCAM-1. The modification effect between serum galectin-3 and VCAM-1 on mortality risk was investigated using an interaction product term. RESULTS: During follow-up, galectin-3 and VCAM-1 were associated with incremental risks of all-cause mortality (aHR: 1.038 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001⁻1.077) and 1.002 (95% CI: 1.001⁻1.003), respectively). Nonetheless, VCAM-1 but not galectin-3 predicted CV mortality (aHR: 1.043 (95% CI: 0.993⁻1.096) and 1.002 (95% CI: 1.001⁻1.003), respectively). In the interaction analysis, patients with combined higher galectin-3 (>29.5 ng/mL) and VCAM-1 (>1546.9 ng/mL) were at the greatest risk of all-cause and CV mortality (aHR: 4.6 (95% CI: 1.6⁻13.4), and 4.2 (95% CI: 1.3⁻14.4), respectively). The interactions between galectin-3 and VCAM-1 with respect to all-cause and CV mortality were statistically significant (p < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: Galectin-3 and VCAM-1 could serve as a promising dual biomarker for prognostic assessment, considering their joint effects on pathogenesis of leukocyte trafficking and atherothrombosis.

Author Correction: The Methylation Capacity of Arsenic and Insulin Resistance are Associated with Psychological Characteristics in Children and Adolescents.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

A Novel Hydroxamate-Based Compound WMJ-J-09 Causes Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Death via LKB1-AMPK-p38MAPK-p63-Survivin Cascade.

Growing evidence shows that hydroxamate-based compounds exhibit broad-spectrum pharmacological properties including anti-tumor activity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying hydroxamate derivative-induced cancer cell death remain incomplete understood. In this study, we explored the anti-tumor mechanisms of a novel aliphatic hydroxamate-based compound, WMJ-J-09, in FaDu head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. WMJ-J-09 induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in FaDu cells. These actions were associated with liver kinase B1 (LKB1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) activation, transcription factor p63 phosphorylation, as well as modulation of p21 and survivin. LKB1-AMPK-p38MAPK signaling blockade reduced WMJ-J-09's enhancing effects in p63 phosphorylation, p21 elevation and survivin reduction. Moreover, WMJ-J-09 caused an increase in α-tubulin acetylation and interfered with microtubule assembly. Furthermore, WMJ-J-09 suppressed the growth of subcutaneous FaDu xenografts in vivo. Taken together, WMJ-J-09-induced FaDu cell death may involve LKB1-AMPK-p38MAPK-p63-survivin signaling cascade. HDACs inhibition and disruption of microtubule assembly may also contribute to WMJ-J-09's actions in FaDu cells. This study suggests that WMJ-J-09 may be a potential lead compound and warrant the clinical development in the treatment of HNSCC.

The Methylation Capacity of Arsenic and Insulin Resistance are Associated with Psychological Characteristics in Children and Adolescents.

The goal of the present study was to compare the influence of the methylation capacity of arsenic, as well as insulin resistance on psychological characteristics of school students from elementary and junior high school. 296 elementary and 318 junior high school students participated in health examinations, completed questionnaires and determined their concentrations of urinary arsenic species and psychological characteristics. Insulin resistance was determined by means of the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). We found that HOMA-IR values were significantly related to increased score of the depression and anger after adjusted for age, gender, schools, father's educational levels, mother's educational levels, BMI, body fat, and urinary creatinine in all students. Anxiety scores and depression scores of junior high school children were significantly higher compared to elementary school children, but lower in disruptive behavior scores. HOMA-IR levels were significantly inversely related to self-concept scores in junior high school students. A greater urinary inorganic arsenic percentage (iAs%) was marginally significantly related to a higher depression score in junior high school students. This is the first study to show a relationship between HOMA-IR levels or urinary arsenic profiles and psychological distress in school students from elementary and junior high school.

The Effect of Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Irradiation on Middle Cerebral Arterial Occlusion in Rats.

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible effect of photoluminescence of bioceramic (PLB) on ischemic cerebral infarction (stroke), by using an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sprague-Dawley rats were used to induce MCAO to block the origin of the left MCAO; three months later, the positive chronic stroke rats were selected by running tunnel maze; the MCAO rats with significant chronic stroke and neurological defects were used for treadmill experiments with varying speed settings to test their capability for restoration after muscular fatigue under conditions of with and without PLB irradiation. As a result, PLB irradiation could improve exercise completion rate and average running speed during slow and fast treadmill settings. After PLB irradiation, the selected MCAO rats successfully completed all the second-round treadmill exercises at the maximum speed setting, and they had better restoration from muscular fatigue. An in vitro cell study on astrocytes of rats by bioceramic irradiation further demonstrated increased intracellular nitric oxide. To explain these results, we suggest that cortical brain stimulation of microcirculation and enhancement of peripheral muscular activity are the main causes of the improved exercise performance in MCAO rats by PLB.

Hinokitiol Exerts Anticancer Activity through Downregulation of MMPs 9/2 and Enhancement of Catalase and SOD Enzymes: In Vivo Augmentation of Lung Histoarchitecture.

Melanoma is extremely resistant to chemotherapy and the death rate is increasing hastily worldwide. Extracellular matrix promotes the migration and invasion of tumor cells through the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9. Evidence has shown that natural dietary antioxidants are capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth. Our recent studies showed that hinokitiol, a natural bioactive compound, inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelets aggregation. The present study is to investigate the anticancer efficacy of hinokitiol against B16-F10 melanoma cells via modulating tumor invasion factors MMPs, antioxidant enzymes in vitro. An in vivo mice model of histological investigation was performed to study the patterns of elastic and collagen fibers. Hinokitiol inhibited the expression and activity of MMPs-2 and -9 in B16-F10 melanoma cells, as measured by western blotting and gelatin zymography, respectively. An observed increase in protein expression of MMPs 2/9 in melanoma cells was significantly inhibited by hinokitiol. Notably, hinokitiol (1-5 µM) increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the reduction in melanoma cells. Also, hinokitiol (2-10 µM) concentration dependently reduced in vitro Fenton reaction induced hydroxyl radical (OH·) formation. An in vivo study showed that hinokitiol treatment increased elastic fibers (EF), collagens dispersion, and improved alveolar alterations in the lungs of B16/F10 injected mice. Overall, our findings propose that hinokitiol may be a potent anticancer candidate through down regulation of MMPs 9/2, reduction of OH· production and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT.

Change of scaling-induced proinflammatory cytokine on the clinical efficacy of periodontitis treatment.

Proinflammatory cytokines are key inflammatory mediators in periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines in saliva and periodontal status. To investigate the usefulness of cytokines in the therapeutic approach for periodontal disease, the relationship between stimulated cytokine changes and the periodontitis treatment outcome was investigated in this study. Saliva was obtained from 22 patients diagnosed by dentists as having chronic periodontitis. The proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and tumor necrosis factor ß (TNF-ß)) levels were determined using a commercially available kit. The IL-1ß and IL-6 levels increased, whereas the TNF-ß levels decreased with the severity of periodontitis (4 mm pocket percentage). Poststimulation IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were higher in patients who had an improved treatment outcome. The differences of IL-6 levels (cut point: 0.05 µg/g) yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 90.0% and 81.82%, respectively, for predicting the periodontitis treatment outcome. Among the proinflammatory cytokines, stimulated IL-6 was an excellent marker for predicting the periodontitis treatment outcome.

Arsenic methylation capacity and obesity are associated with insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents.

The goal of the present study was to compare the arsenic methylation capacities in elementary school and junior high school students in an area of Taiwan with low arsenic exposure, and explore the influence of both arsenic methylation capacity and obesity on insulin resistance in these children and adolescents using the HOMA-IR index. We recruited 303 elementary school students and 319 junior high school students in Taipei City from September 2007 to November 2011. Concentrations of inorganic arsenic (arsenite + arsenate), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) were determined by a high-performance liquid chromatography-linked hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometry. Insulin resistance was determined by HOMA-IR. Elementary school students had significantly lower inorganic arsenic percentage and a higher DMA(V) percentage than junior high school students. It seems that the former had better arsenic methylation capability than the latter. The HOMA-IR value was significantly and positively related to the sum of the urinary inorganic and methylated arsenic (TotalAs) concentrations and also the BMI Z score, with the regression coefficients (ß) being 0.058 (p < 0.001) and 0.001 (p = 0.027), respectively. The higher BMI values and higher TotalAs concentration were associated with higher HOMA-IR values in children and adolescents in Taiwan.

Sanguis draconis, a dragon's blood resin, attenuates high glucose-induced oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Hyperglycaemia, a characteristic feature of diabetes mellitus, induces endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications by limiting the proliferative potential of these cells. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of an ethanolic extract of Sanguis draconis (SD), a kind of dragon's blood resin that is obtained from Daemonorops draco (Palmae), on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) under high-glucose (HG) stimulation and its underlying mechanism. Concentration-dependent (0-50 µg/mL) assessment of cell viability showed that SD does not affect cell viability with a similar trend up to 48 h. Remarkably, SD (10-50 µg/mL) significantly attenuated the high-glucose (25 and 50 mM) induced cell toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. SD inhibited high glucose-induced nitrite (NO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in HUVEC. Western blot analysis revealed that SD treatments abolished HG-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), nuclear transcription factor, κB (NF-κB), VCAM-1, and E-selectin, and it also blocked the breakdown of PARP-116 kDa protein in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that SD increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased Bax protein expression in HG-stimulated HUVEC. Thus, these results of this study demonstrate for the first time that SD inhibits glucose induced oxidative stress and vascular inflammation in HUVEC by inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB/PARP-1/Bax signaling cascade followed by suppressing the activation of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. These data suggest that SD may have a therapeutic potential in vascular inflammation due to the decreased levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and PARP-1 activation.

Brazilin ameliorates high glucose-induced vascular inflammation via inhibiting ROS and CAMs production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Vascular inflammatory process has been suggested to play a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have shown that brazilin exhibits antihepatotoxic, antiplatelet, cancer preventive, or anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we investigated whether brazilin suppresses vascular inflammatory process induced by high glucose (HG) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HG induced nitrite production, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species formation in HUVEC cells, which was reversed by brazilin. Western blot analysis revealed that brazilin markedly inhibited HG-induced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Besides, we investigated the effects of brazilin on the MAPK signal transduction pathway because MAPK families are associated with vascular inflammation under stress. Brazilin blocked HG-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and transcription factor NF-κB. Furthermore, brazilin concentration-dependently attenuated cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) expression induced by various concentrations of HG in HUVEC. Taken together, the present data suggested that brazilin could suppress high glucose-induced vascular inflammatory process, which may be closely related with the inhibition of oxidative stress, CAMs expression, and NF-κB activation in HUVEC. Our findings may highlight a new therapeutic intervention for the prevention of vascular diseases.

Wave-induced flow in meridians demonstrated using photoluminescent bioceramic material on acupuncture points.

The mechanisms of acupuncture remain poorly understood, but it is generally assumed that measuring the electrical conductivity at various meridians provides data representing various meridian energies. In the past, noninvasive methods have been used to stimulate the acupuncture points at meridians, such as heat, electricity, magnets, and lasers. Photoluminescent bioceramic (PLB) material has been proven to weaken hydrogen bonds and alter the characteristics of liquid water. In this study, we applied the noninvasive PLB technique to acupuncture point irradiation, attempting to detect its effects by using electrical conductivity measurements. We reviewed relevant literature, searching for information on meridians including their wave-induced flow characteristics.

Protective effect of guggulsterone against cardiomyocyte injury induced by doxorubicin in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective antineoplastic drug; however, clinical use of DOX is limited by its dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. It is well known that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a vital role in the pathological process of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. For this study, we evaluated the protective effects of guggulsterone (GS), a steroid obtained from myrrh, to determine its preliminary mechanisms in defending against DOX-induced cytotoxicity in H9C2 cells. METHODS: In this study, we used a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release measurements, and Hoechst 33258 staining to evaluate the protective effect of GS against DOX-induced cytotoxicity in H9C2 cells. In addition, we observed the immunofluorescence of intracellular ROS and measured lipid peroxidation, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis-related proteins by using Western blotting. RESULTS: The MTT assay and LDH release showed that treatment using GS (1-30 µM) did not cause cytotoxicity. Furthermore, GS inhibited DOX (1 µM)-induced cytotoxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 staining showed that GS significantly reduced DOX-induced apoptosis and cell death. Using GS at a dose of 10-30 µM significantly reduced intracellular ROS and the formation of MDA in the supernatant of DOX-treated H9C2 cells and suppressed caspase-3 activity to reference levels. In immunoblot analysis, pretreatment using GS significantly reversed DOX-induced decrease of PARP, caspase-3 and bcl-2, and increase of bax, cytochrome C release, cleaved-PARP and cleaved-caspase-3. In addition, the properties of DOX-induced cancer cell (DLD-1 cells) death did not interfere when combined GS and DOX. CONCLUSION: These data provide considerable evidence that GS could serve as a novel cardioprotective agent against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.