circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis alleviates oral submucous fibrosis through inhibiting fibroblast-myofibroblast transition.

BACKGROUND: circRNAs have been shown to participate in diverse diseases; however, their role in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a potentially malignant disorder, remains obscure. Our preliminary experiments detected the expression of circRNA mitochondrial translation optimization 1 homologue (circMTO1) in OSF tissues (n = 20) and normal mucosa tissues (n = 20) collected from Hunan Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, and a significant decrease of circMTO1 expression was showed in OSF tissues. Therefore, we further explored circMTO1 expression in OSF. METHODS: Target molecule expression was detected using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The migration and invasion of buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. The interaction between miR-30c-5p, circMTO1, and SOCS3 was evaluated using dual luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays. The colocalisation of circMTO1 and miR-30c-5p was observed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: circMTO1 and SOCS3 expression decreased, whereas miR-30c-5p expression increased in patients with OSF and arecoline-stimulated BMFs. Overexpression of circMTO1 effectively restrained the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMT), as evidenced by the increase in expression of Coll I, α-SMA, Vimentin, and the weakened migration and invasion functions in BMFs. Mechanistic studies have shown that circMTO1 suppresses FMT by enhancing SOCS3 expression by sponging miR-30c-5p and subsequently inactivating the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. FMT induced by SOCS3 silencing was reversed by the FAK inhibitor TAE226 or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSION: circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis regulates FMT in arecoline-treated BMFs via the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Expanding the sample size and in vivo validation could further elucidate their potential as therapeutic targets for OSF.

[Meta-analysis of effect of Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets on treating insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes].

To systematically assess the efficacy and safety of Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets for patients with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, literatures were retrieved in 7 databases: PubMed, EMbase, Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), WanFang database, Chinese BioMedical Database(CBM), VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database, from the date of its inception up to November 2018. Review Manager 5.3 software was used for risk bias assessment, data synthesis and subgroup analysis. Begg's and Egger's tests were performed for assessing symmetries of funnel plot by software Stata 14.0. GRADE system was used to assess the quality of evidence. A total of 10 trials involving 797 participants were eligible. Compared with Western medicine alone, Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets showed a statistical significance in FBG(WMD=-0.63, 95%CI[-1.00,-0.26]). Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets showed a significant decrease in 2 h BG combined with Western medicine compared with Western medicine alone(WMD=-1.46, 95%CI[-1.71,-1.21], P<0.000 01). Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets combined with Western medicine showed a significant decrease in HbA1 c(WMD=-0.75, 95%CI[-0.97,-0.53], P<0.000 01), FINS(WMD=-0.65, 95%CI[-0.80,-0.50], P<0.000 01), 2 h INS(SMD=-1.67, 95%CI[-2.26,-1.09], P<0.000 01) and HOMA-IR(WMD=-1.22, 95%CI[-1.67,-0.76], P<0.000 01). Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets combined with Western medicine was beneficial for ISI(WMD=1.00, 95%CI[0.84, 1.17], P<0.000 01). Egger's and Begg's test showed no publication bias(P=0.379). Sensitivity analysis showed no impact on the overall results. The GRADE quality of the evidence was low. Despite of the apparently positive results, we cannot draw a rational conclusion that Jinqi Jiangtang Tablets has a positive effect in patients with IR, because of the low evidence grade.

[Anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of defects after en bloc resection of buccal cancer : a retrospective study of 23 cases].

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to observe the effects of anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of tissue defects after en bloc resection of buccal cancer. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with soft tissue defects after en bloc resection of buccal cancer underwent simultaneous reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap from May, 2013 to May, 2015 were observed. Anterolateral thigh flaps were designed and harvested in form of single or multiple islands to restore the defect in buccal region after surgery. The appearance and function of both the oral and maxillofacial region and the donor site were recorded and evaluated. RESULTS: All the 23 flaps survived. Only 3 of them experienced vascular crisis within 24 hours after surgery, and recovered gradually after salvage. The success rate was 100%. One to three years of follow-up showed satisfying morphology and function for both the receipt sites and the donor sites. Buccal abscess was observed in 1 patient and recovered after rinsing and drainage. Two patients died of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Good effects can be achieved using anterolateral thigh flap to reconstruct buccal defects after en bloc resection of cancer, which is suitable for application in clinical practice.

Investigation of the association between miR­181b, Bcl­2 and LRIG1 in oral verrucous carcinoma.

Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in the development of and anti­apoptotic effects in various types of human cancer. However, miRNA­mediated regulation of oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of miR­181b in OVC and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The expression levels of miR­181b were determined using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2) and leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (LRIG1), were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between Bcl­2 and LRIG1 expression was determined using a Pearson correlation analysis. The expression levels of miR­181b and Bcl­2 in OVC were significantly higher compared with normal mucosal tissue (NM); however, lower compared with the OSCC. The key target of miR­181b was LRIG1 and it was significantly lower in OVC tissues compared with NM tissue; however this was higher when compared with OSCC tissue. The expression levels of Bcl­2 were correlated with expression levels of LRIG1 in OVC tissues. Therefore, LRIG1 may be associated with anti­apoptotic function in OVC tissues.