Astaxanthin Promotes the Survival of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells by Alleviating Oxidative Stress via Activating the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

The survival of free fat grafts is dependent primarily on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs); however, ADSCs are susceptible to oxidative stress in the recipient area. Astaxanthin (Axt) is a natural xanthophyll carotenoid with potent antioxidant properties and numerous clinical applications. To date, the therapeutic potential of Axt in fat grafting has not been explored. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Axt on oxidatively stressed ADSCs. An oxidative model of ADSCs was developed to simulate the host's microenvironment. Oxidative insult decreased the protein levels of Cyclin D1, type I collagen alpha 1 (COL1A1), and type II collagen alpha 1 (COL2A1), while increasing the expression of cleaved Caspase 3 and secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in ADSCs. Axt pre-treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress, increased the synthesis of an adipose extracellular matrix, alleviated inflammation, and restored the impaired adipogenic potential in the present model. Furthermore, Axt immensely activated the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, and ML385, an inhibitor of Nrf2, could negate Axt's protective effects. Additionally, Axt alleviated apoptosis by inhibiting bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX)/Caspase 3 signaling and improving the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), which could also be abolished by ML385. Our results suggest that Axt may exert its cytoprotective effect on ADSCs through the Nrf2 signaling pathway and could be therapeutic in fat grafting.

[Effect of Guiqicongzhi Decoction on Expression of HSP27 and HSP70 in Brain Tissue of VD Model Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Guiqicongzhi Decoction on expression of HSP27 and HSP70 in brain tissue of VD model rats. METHODS: The method of "repeatedly clip carotid artery join with injection of sodium nitroprusside and with permanent unilateral carotid artery ligation" was used to prepare the vascular dementia model. And then the effect of Guiqicongzhi Decoction on the model rats from rats praxiology, histopathological and the molecules expression of heat shock protein (HSP) were observed. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the navigation incubation period extended and space search ability became worse in model group; cell number was less, contour fuzzy shrivel, cytoplasm deep stain and nuclear was not clear in hippocampus pathological section; as well as an increase in the expression of HSP27 and HSP70. The above indexes changed significantly in middle dose group and high dose group. The curative effect of middle dose group was better than piracetam. CONCLUSION: Guiqicongzhi Decoction can protect brain tissue and improve the pathological damage and memory functions of VD rats, the mechanism maybe related to the regulation of HSP27 and HSP70 expression.

[Case-control study on therapeutic effects of Rigidfix cross pins combined with Intrafix pins for the reconstruction of anterior or posterior cruciate ligament under arthroscopy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate therapeutic effects of Rigidfix cross pins combined with Intrafix pins for the reconstruction of anterior or posterior cruciate ligament under arthroscopy. METHODS: From January 2009 to June 2010,34 patients with anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries were divided into two groups : group A and group B. There were 24 patients in group A, including 19 males and 5 females,with an average age of (31.83±9.57) years old. The patients in group A were treated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under arthroscopy; Rigidfix cross pins and Intrafix pins were used to fix femoral and tibial side respectively. Among the 10 patients in group B, 8 patients were male and 2 patients were female, with an average age of (27.20+7.59) years old. The patients in group B were treated with posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction under arthroscope; Intrafix pins and Rigidifix cross pins were used to fix femoral and tibial side sepectively. The drawer test and Lachaman test were used to evaluate postoperative knee stability. All the patients were followed up at least 18 months. Lysholm and Tegner knee scores were used to evaluate the clinical therapeutic effects. RESULTS: All the 34 patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 18 to 26 months,with an average of (20.79±2.39) months. All the patients obtained good pain relief and knee stability. In group A,Lysholm scores significantly increased from 43.04±7.57 preoperatively to 85.41±4.68, 92.50±3.05, and 93.45±2.57 at 6,12, and 18 months postoperatively; Tegner scores significantly increased from 2.62±0.92 preoperatively to 7.45±1.14, 8.58±0.77, and 8.95±0.55 at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. In group B,Lysholm scores significantly increased from 46.20±8.27 preoperatively to 86.40±5.14,90.40±2.67,and 92.00±3.85 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively ;Tegner scores significantly increased from 2.00±0.66 preoperatively to 7.10±0.99, 8.60±0.84, and 8.80±0.42 at 6,12, and 18 months postoperatively. There were no differences in Lysholm and Tegner scores between group A and B at different times during follow-up. Lysholm scores of all patients significantly increased from 43.97±7.79 preoperatively to 85.70±4.76,91.88±3.06,and 93.02±3.01 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively. Tegner scores of all patients significantly increased from 2.44±0.89 preoperatively to 7.35±1.09, 8.58±0.78, and 8.91±0.51 at 6,12,and 18 months postoperatively. During the follow-up period,there were no serious immunological rejection and complications. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of anterior or posterior cruciate ligament under arthroscopy with Rigidfix cross pins and Intrafix pins fixation is feasible therapy for anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries, and the fixation is rigid. The therapy restores knee stability and provides a satisfactory short-term results.

An apolipoprotein E mimetic peptide with activities against multidrug-resistant bacteria and immunomodulatory effects.

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) mimetic peptides derived from the low-density lipoprotein receptor-binding region of apoE with both activities against multidrug-resistant bacteria and immunomodulatory effects have not previously been reported. We identified an apoE mimetic peptide analogue of the receptor-binding region of apoE (abbreviated as apoE23) with the sequence of LRKLRKRLVRLASHLRKLRKRLL, which exhibited high antibacterial effects. The minimal inhibitory concentration of apoE23 against multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was 6 µg/ml. The antimicrobial activity of apoE23 depended on its amphipathic α-helical conformation. Moreover, apoE23 downregulated the expression of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 in lipopolysaccharide-induced THP-1 cells. ApoE23 exhibits potential in future clinical applications.

[Association between serum YKL-40 levels and endothelial function in hypertensive patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between serum YKL-40 levels and endothelial function in patients with essential hypertension (EH). METHOD: Sixty EH patients [34 male, aged between 43 - 76 years, mean (59 ± 7) years] and 30 healthy subjects [17 male, mean age (57 ± 5) years] were enrolled in this study. Serum YKL-40 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Endothelial function [endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), flow-mediated dilatation (FMD)] was also measured. EH patients were further divided to no metabolic syndrome and metabolic syndrome group. RESULTS: Serum uric acid, ET-1, hs-CRP were significantly higher while serum NO, FMD and NMD were significantly lower in EH group than in control group (all P < 0.05). YKL-40 was significantly higher in EH group than in the control group [51.7 (35.6 - 341.9) µg/L vs. 33.2 (23.3 - 167.3) µg/L, P < 0.05] and significantly higher in EH patients with metabolic syndrome than in EH patients without metabolic syndrome (152.3 µg/L vs. 94.2 µg/L, P < 0.05). In this cohort, serum YKL-40 level was positively correlated with SBP, DBP, BMI, TG and hsCRP(r = 0.360, 0.303, 0.281, 0.216, 0.530, all P < 0.05)but not correlated with FMD, ET-1 and NO (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum YKL-40 levels are increased compared to normal controls and positively correlated with blood pressure level but not with endothelial function parameters in hypertensive patients. Serum YKL-40 level might thus be used as a biomarker reflecting inflammation status other than endothelium function in hypertensive patients.