Correlation analysis of carotid artery intima-media thickness, serum 25(OH)D and men with erectile dysfunction.

Our goal is to investigate the connection between serum 25(OH)D and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) in men with erectile dysfunction (ED).Serum 25(OH)D and CIMT were measured in 124 participants with erectile dysfunction and 39 healthy controls. The relationship between them and different patient-related parameters and disease-related parameters was studied. Compared with the control group and mild ED group, the level of serum 25(OH)D in moderate ED group and severe ED group decreased significantly(P<0.05). The CIMT values of moderate ED group and severe ED group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05). The CIMT value of severe ED group was significantly higher than that of mild ED group(P<0.05). IIEF-5 score was positively correlated with serum 25(OH)D level, but negatively correlated with CIMT value(P<0.05). After adjusting for the influence of confounding factors, The CIMT values, 25(OH)D and IIEF-5 score were substantially associated(P<0.05). The serum level of 25(OH)D and IIEF-5 score were positively correlated, while the CIMT values and IIEF-5 score were negatively correlated. The level of serum 25(OH)D should be analyzed in men with ED, especially in patients with vasculogenic ED, and supplementation is recommended for those who were with vitamin D deficiency.

Inhibition of NF-κB by Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Prevents the Inflammatory Response in a Ligature-Induced Peri-Implantitis Model: A Canine Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The roles of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in peri-implantitis are unclear. Here, we used a canine model of peri-implantitis to explore the effects of inhibiting NF-κB with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) on the inflammatory response in ligature-induced peri-implantitis. METHODS: After successfully establishing the peri-implantitis model, beagles were randomly assigned to normal, model or PDTC groups. ELISA tests were used to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of NF-κB p65. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to determine the mRNA levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65, and western blot analysis was used to measure the protein levels of TLR4 in periodontal tissues from each group. Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) were cultured and subsequently classified into PDLF normal, PDLF model, PDLF LPS, PDLF PDTC, and PDLF LPS + PDTC groups. An immunofluorescence assay was used to measure the expression level of NF-κB p65. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis. RESULTS: The in vitro results indicated that NF-κB p65 and TLR4 were upregulated in canine periodontal tissues, and PDTC could suppress the expression levels of NF-κB p65 and TLR4. Inflammation could increase TLR4 protein expression in canine periodontal tissue, and PDTC could inhibit the inflammation-induced increase in TLR4 protein expression. These results revealed that PDTC could reverse the LPS-induced increases in the levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. In vivo, the results demonstrated that PDTC inhibited the LPS-induced NF-κB p65 upregulation, and PDTC could reverse the inhibitory effect of the PDLF model + LPS on the proliferation of periodontal fibroblasts. The results also showed that in the PDLF model, LPS promoted PDLF apoptosis by inducing implant periodontitis in canines, but PDTC inhibited the PDLF apoptosis and relieved implant periodontitis in canines. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we concluded that PDTC can inhibit the expression of NF-κB and alleviate the inflammatory response induced by LPS, thereby preventing periodontal inflammation and reducing the development of peri-implantitis.

Comparison of bone regeneration in alveolar bone of dogs on mineralized collagen grafts with two composition ratios of nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen.

To study the effect of two composition ratios of nano-hydroxyapatite and collagen (NHAC) composites on repairing alveolar bone defect of dogs. Eighteen healthy adult dogs were randomly divided into three groups. Two kinds of the NHAC composites were prepared according to the constituent ratios of 3:7 and 5:5; immediately after extraction of the mandibular second premolars, each kind of the NHAC composite was implanted into extraction socket, respectively: Group I, nHA/Col = 3:7; Group II, nHA/Col = 5:5 and Group III, blank control group. The bone-repairing ability of the two grafts was separately analyzed by morphometric measurement, X-ray tomography examination and biomechanical analysis at 1st, 3rd and 6th month post-surgical, respectively. The NHAC composites were absorbed gradually after implanting into alveolar bone defect and were replaced by new bone. The ratios of new bone formation of Group I was significantly higher than that of Group II after 3 months (P < 0.05). The structure and bioactive performance can be improved when the ratio between the collagen and the hydroxyapatite was reasonable, and the repairing ability and effect in extraction sockets are obviously better.

Test in canine extraction site preservations by using mineralized collagen plug with or without membrane.

The aim of this study was to discuss the feasibility of porous mineralized collagen plug and bilayer mineralized collagen-guided bone regeneration membrane in site preservation in extraction sockets. The third mandibular premolars on both sides were extracted from four dogs, thus there were 16 alveolar sockets in all dogs and were randomly assigned into three groups. Group A had six alveolar sockets, and groups B and C had five alveolar sockets, respectively. Each alveolar socket of group A was immediately implanted with a porous mineralized collagen plug and covered with a bilayer mineralized collagen-guided bone regeneration membrane after tooth extraction. Alveolar sockets of group B were implanted with porous mineralized collagen plug only, and group C was set as blank control without any implantation. The healing effects of the extraction sockets were evaluated by gross observation, morphological measurements, and X-ray micro-computed tomography after twelve weeks. Twelve weeks after operation, both groups A and B had more amount of new bone formation compared with group C; in terms of the degree of alveolar bone height, group A was lower than groups B and C with significant differences; the bone mineral density in the region of interest and bone remodeling degree in group A were higher than those of groups B and C. As a result, porous mineralized collagen plug could induce the regeneration of new bone in extraction socket, and combined use of porous mineralized collagen plug and bilayer mineralized collagen guided bone regeneration membrane could further reduce the absorption of alveolar ridge and preserve the socket site.

Compatibility of hyaluronic acid hydrogel and skeletal muscle myoblasts.

Compatibility of hyaluronic acid hydrogel (HAH) and skeletal muscle myoblasts has been investigated for the first time in the present paper. Skeletal muscle myoblasts were separated from skeletons of rats and incubated with a HAH-containing culture medium. Cell morphology, hydrophilicity and cell adhesion of the HAH scaffold were investigated using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Hoechest33258 fluorescent staining, the immunocytochemistry method and water adsorption rate measurement. It was found that at a proper concentration (around 0.5%) of hyaluronic acid, the hydrogel possessed good compatibility with skeletal muscle myoblasts. The hydrogel can create a three-dimensional structure for the growth of skeletal muscle myoblasts and benefit cell attachment to provide a novel scaffold material for the tissue engineering of skeletal muscle.

Comparison of biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells grown on two different titanium implant surfaces.

This study examined the biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) grown on sand-blasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) surface and hydroxyapatite (HA) coating on the SLA (HA/SLA) surface of titanium dental implants. The HA/SLA surfaces of titanium dental implants were formed by the ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD) method. Rabbit bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured in vitro were seeded onto the surface of SLA and HA/SLA; the growth states of MSCs on the two samples were observed by a scanning electron microscope; the proliferation index, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OCN) content of MSCs and mRNA relative expression level of osteopontin (opn) were compared between two groups. MSCs were found to be easier to adhere to the HA/SLA surface compared to the SLA surface. At the same time, the ALP activity and the OCN content of MSCs grown on the HA/SLA surface were obviously higher, and the relative expression level of opn mRNA was 4.78 times higher than that on the SLA surface. The HA coating formed by the IBAD method on the SLA surface of titanium dental implants significantly improves proliferation and well-differentiated osteoblastic phenotype of MSCs, which indicates a promising method for the surface modification of titanium dental implants.