Icariin alleviates the apoptosis of chondrocytes in osteoarthritis through regulating SIRT-1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling.

Icariin has shown the potential to treat osteoarthritis (OA), but the specific mechanism still needs further exploration. Therefore, this study attempted to reveal the effect and mechanism of icariin on OA based on in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vivo, a mouse model of OA was established by cutting the anterior cruciate ligament, and 10 mg/kg icariin was given to mice orally. Then, the OA injury and pathological changes of cartilage tissue in mice were identified by OA index and hematoxylin and eosin staining. In vitro, the viability of C28/I2 cells incubated with different concentrations of icariin was detected by 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di- phenytetrazoliumromide assay. Subsequently, C28/I2 cells induced by IL-1ß were used as the cell model of OA, the expression of Sirtuin (SIRT)-1 in cells was knocked down, and icariin was added for intervention. Next, western blot was used to observe the expression level of sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1)-Nrf2-heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) signaling pathway-related proteins in cells of each group. Besides, cell viability and apoptosis were detected by MTT and apoptosis assay, and DNA damage was observed by comet assay. In vivo experiments, intragastric administration of icariin could effectively reduce the OA index of mice, improve the pathological changes of cartilage tissue, and obviously activated the SIRT-1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway. In vitro experiments, icariin did not exhibit toxic effect on C28/I2 cells, but could activate the SIRT-1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway, improve the viability, reduce the level of apoptosis and relieve the DNA damage in OA cells; however, these effects were inhibited by si- SIRT-1. Icariin can improve the symptoms of OA by activating the SIRT-1-Nrf2-HO-1 signaling pathway.

Analysis of postoperative complications in children treated for moderate to severe anal atresia with laparoscopic versus open surgery: A retrospective study.

This study aimed to compare and analyze the postoperative complications and anal function after 3-stage laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP) and conventional posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) in the treatment of moderate to severe anal atresia in children. A total of 27 children with moderate to severe anal atresia who underwent conventional PSARP at the Dongguan Children Hospital between 2007 and 2011 were included in the control group, and 34 children with moderate to severe anal atresia who underwent 3-stage LAARP between 2012 and 2016 were included in the observation group. The incidence of postoperative complications and Kelly score of anal function in the 2 groups were statistically analyzed and the efficacy of the 2 procedures compared. The incidence of postoperative complications such as wound infection, anal stenosis, anastomotic leakage, fecal incontinence, and constipation in the LAARP group was lower as compared with the PSARP group, and there was a statistically significant difference (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications such as rectal prolapse, diarrhea, and recurrent fistula between the LAARP group and the PSARP group (P > .05). The Kelly score of anal function was higher in the LAARP group than in the PSARP group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Compared to conventional PSARP, laparoscopic surgery for moderate to severe anal atresia in children has less complications, improved anal function, and a clear therapeutic impact.