Silk fibroin (SF) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite powders were synthesized from CaO, H3PO4 and SF solution on the principle of neutralization. SF/HA porous materials were prepared through adding silk short fibers and NaCI particles as reinforcing material and pore-forming agent respectively by isostatic compaction. The structure and mechanical properties of the SF/HA porous materials were investigated. Results indicated that short silk fibers in it could markedly enhance flexural strength and flexural breaking energy. The average pore diameter and porosity could be regulated from 64 μm to183 pm and from 55% to 75% respectively by adding pore-forming agent.

It is important to design a long-period transparent bioactive material for corneal repair in the process of corneal tissue renovation. This article discusses the silk fibroin and formamide blend membranes as a corneal stroma repair material. Silk fibroin solution was mixed with formamide in different proportions to obtain insoluble transparent silk fibroin film by casting method. The blending membranes had excellent mechanical properties, cell compatibility and long-term transparent properties. Rabbit corneal stromal cells were seeded on the sterilized composite films. The rate of cell surface adhesion was over 90% after cells were placed on it for 5 hours. When cells were seeded on blend membranes from one day to seven days, Alma Blue was added to complete medium. Compared with the cell culture plate, there was no significant difference in cell proliferation on formamide/silk films. The results indicated that formamide/silk films might be used as a corneal stroma repair material and worth of further investigatinn
Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Proliferation ; Cornea ; cytology ; Fibroins ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Regeneration

BACKGROUND: Silk fibroin derived from silk had a good biocompatibility and biodegradation, which could be used for biomaterials to improve cell adhesion and growth abilities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of silk fibroin/hydroxyapatite (SF/HA) compounded of adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) on repairing bone defects. METHODS: Adipose tissues were derived from epididymis of 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits and trypsogen-passaged to obtain ADSCs. The third-passage ADSCs at the concentration of 1×10/L were placed on SF/HA scaffold. Three hours later, the composite was cultured with DMEM culture media containing 1 μmol/L dexamethasone, 50 μmol/L vitamin C, and 10 mmol/L β-sodium glycerophosphate. Thirty-six rabbits were induced cancellated bone defect sizing 4.5 mm × 4.5 mm × 10 mm. The composite group was implanted with SF/HN/ADSCs scaffold, the simple group was implanted with SF/HA scaffold, but any treatment was employed in the blank control group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 12 weeks, general observation demonstrated that the bone defects were repaired entirely in composite group and partly in simple group. However, the bone defect was not repaired in the blank control group. X-ray and histological observation suggested that at 12 weeks the bone defects were repaired entirely in composite group and partly in simple group. The quantity of the newly formed bone in the composite group was significantly more than that in the simple group (P < 0.05). Repair showed no effect in the blank control group. SF/HA/ADSCs composite could successfully repair bone defects of a rabbit femur, and the effect was superior to SF/HA scaffold.

BackgroundHigh platelet reactivity (HPR) during clopidogrel treatment predicts postpercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ischemic events strongly and independently. Tongxinluo capsules (TCs) are a traditional Chinese medicine formulation used as antiplatelet treatment. However, its efficacy against HPR is not known. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of TCs in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with HPR.

MethodsThis multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study prospectively analyzed 136 ACS patients with HPR who underwent PCI. The patients were enrolled from November 2013 to May 2014 and randomized to receive placebo or TCs in addition to standard dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel. The primary end points were the prevalence of HPR at 30 days and the mean change in P2Yreaction units (PRUs) between baseline and 30 days. Survival curves were constructed with Kaplan-Meier estimates and compared by log-rank tests between the two groups.

ResultsBoth groups had a significantly reduced prevalence of HPR at 30 days versus baseline, but the TC group, compared with the placebo group, had greater reduction (15.8% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.013), especially among patients with one cytochrome P450 2C19 loss of function (LOF) allele (χ= 2.931, P = 0.047). The TC group also had a lower prevalence of HPR (33.3% vs. 54.2%, t = 5.284, P = 0.022) and superior performance in light transmittance aggregometry and higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), but the composite prevalence of ischemic events did not differ significantly (χ= 1.587, P = 0.208).

ConclusionsIn addition to standard DAPT with aspirin and clopidogrel, TCs further reduce PRU and hsCRP levels, especially in patients carrying only one LOF allele. The data suggest that TCs could be used in combination therapy for ACS patients with HPR undergoing PCI.