Objective To investigate the effect of Hyaluronic acid(HA) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs)-3,9,13 and tissue inhibitor of MMPs(TIMP)-1 mRNA stimulated by interleukin (IL)-1β in chondrocytes from arthritis model in vitro.Methods Different levels of Sodium Hyaluronate(10,20,40μg/ml)were added to culture medium of rat chondrocytes.The ehondrocytes were isolated from rat osteoarthritis model.One hour later,10 ng/ml IL-1β were added to each sample and co-cultured for 24 hours.The expressions of MMP-3,9,13 and TIMP-1 mRNA were detected bv RT-PCR.The concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in the supernatants were measured by Griess reaction.Results HA could down-regulate MMP-3,9,13 mRNA expression but had no effect on TIMP-1 mRNA expression.Moreover,it also had a dose-dependent down regulate effect on nitric oxide synthesis.Conclusion This study demonstrates that HA can down-regulate the TIMP-1/MMPs expression by inhibiting NO production.

BACKGROUND:Curcumin is proved to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic roles. OBJECTIVE: To summarize and discuss the mechanisms and effects of curcumin used for the treatment of osteoarthritis METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Elseveir databases were retrieved for relevant articles published from 1973 to 2014, with the key words of “osteoarthritis, curcumin, chondrocyte, articular cartilage” in English. After the quality of the included studies was evaluated, valid data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Curcumin prevents the occurrence and development osteoarthritis by inhibiting oxidative enzyme and scavenging free radicals. Curcumin increases production of colagen type 2 through suppressing the reduction of cartilage matrix by matrix metaloproteinases. Anti-inflammatory reaction of curcumin can be achieved by inhibiting cytosolic phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2, and 5-lipoxygenase. Curcumin inhibits interleukin-1β-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes and mitochondrial sweling. Results from clinical trials suggest that curcumin or its derivatives can reduce joint pain and improve the function of knee joints in patients with osteoarthritis. High-concentration curcuminin vitro have been demonstrated toxic effects.

Ovarian pregnancy is a rare ectopic pregnancy.In recent years,the development and popularization of assisted reproductive technology increase the incidence of ovarian pregnancy.This article focused on the ultrasound features of ovarian pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) by comparing those of pregnant corpus luteum and tubal pregnancy,and analyzed the advantages of transabdominal ultrasonography (TAS) and transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) in the diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) on expression of GAP 43 in the rats spinal cord following spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Fifty five Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a normal group, a control group and a HBO treatment group. The rats in the control and HBO treatment group underwent SCI by 10g?5cm impact at the T10 level. The rats in the HBO treatment group were treated by HBO. Western blot was used to observe the change of expression of GAP 43. Results There was weak expression of GAP 43 in the normal spinal cord. The GAP 43 expression increased significantly following SCI. The level of GAP 43 expression in the HBO treatment group was significantly high than that in the control group. Conclusion HBO can increase the level of GAP 43 expression.

Objective:To measure the expression of the MCP-1(Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1) in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury and explore the possible mechanism of secondary spinal cord injury.Methods:MCP-1 in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury,single spine compression and healthy subjects were detected by ELISA irrespectively.The MRI data of these patients were studied at the same time on a blind base.Results:MCP-1 in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury was correlated positively with the degree of spinal cord compression,which was elevated markedly(P

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of carboxymethyl-chitosan(CMCS) on chondrocyte apoptosis induced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP),and the effects of CD44 in the process.MethodsA small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting to CD44 mRNA (siRNA-1,siRNA-2,siRNA-3) was constructed.The siRNA was transfected into chondrocytes in vitro with LipofectamineTM 2000.The efficacy of transfection was detected by transfecting fluorescence siRNA into cells.The mRNA expression of CD44 in vitro was detected by RT-PCR.The protein level of CD44 was detected by Western blotting.The apoptosis rate of the transfected and non-transfected cells induced by SNP was detected by flow cytometry.Statistical analysis was conducted with one-way ANOVA and SNK-q test.ResultsThe efficacy of transfection was about 60％.As compared with the control group,the mRNA expression was specifically inhibited after transfecting CD44 siRNA-1 for 24,48 and 72 h(0.198±0.007 vs 0.429±0.053 at 24 h,0.211±0.016 vs 0.501±0.037 at 48 h,0.153±0.005 vs 0.341±0.009 at 72h,q=5.93,7.01,11.23,P＜0.01 ),and the protein level of cells was inhibited after transfecting CD44 siRNA-1 for 24 h compared with the control group (0.231±0.064 vs 0.675±0.113,q=13.09,P＜0.01 ).The FCM results showed that 3 mmol/L SNP could induce chondrocytes apoptosis(70±6)％,and 50,100,200 μg/ml C MCS could affect the inhibitory effect of SNP-induced apoptosis of chondrocyte [ (51 ±7)％,(30±4)％,(15±4)％,q=5.08,6.97,9.73,P＜0.01 ],but it had milder inhibitory effect on CD44-siRNA-1 transfected chondrocytes when compared with those of the non-transfected chondrocytes [ (34±6)％ vs(15±4)％,q=6.95,P＜0.01 ].ConclusionThe data of this study has suggest that siRNA-1 against CD44 gene can significantly inhibit the expression of CD44 in chondrocyte of rats in vitro after transfection.The CD44 may play an important role in chondrocyte apoptosis induced by SNP and protected by CMCS.

BACKGROUND: Studies in recent years have suggested the involvement of chemoattractant cytokines in the recruitment of peripheral blood cells to the injured spinal tissue. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1) belongs to the CC-type chemokines and is capable of specific chemotactic attraction of the macrophages.OBJECTIVE: To observe MCP-1 expression in the serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury and explore the possible mechanism of secondary spinal cord injury.DESIGN: A non-randomized and controlled concurrent pilot study.SETTING and PARTICIPANTS: Eight patients with acute incomplete spinal cord injury and 8 with compression fracture of the spine were treated in the Department of Orthopaedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University during the period from January 2001 to December 2002. Another 8 healthy subjects were included as the controls.METHODS: In the next morning after hospitalization, totally(8-10) mL of fasting peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients and the serum separated for determination of MCP-1 level with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) . Serum MCP-1 level was also measured in the healthy subjects in the same manner.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum level of MCP-1 in each group.RESULTS: Serum levels of MCP-1 in the healthy subjects, patients with compression fracture of the spine and those with acute incomplete spinal cord injury were(124 ± 15), (184 ±21) and(428 ± 11) ng/L, respectively, with significant differences between any two groups( P ＜ 0.01 ).CONCLUSION: MCP-1 may induce secondary inflammation by recruiting inflamnatory cells to the injury site and thus aggravate the spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND: Under wear particles stimulation, mononuclear macrophages, fibroblasts, and osteoblasts can produce a large amount of inflammatory factors, leading to periprosthetic osteolysis. But the precise mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the molecular biological mechanism underlying osteolysis induced by titanium wear particles . RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Cleaned titanium particles stimulation induced an unbalanced ratio of RANK mRNA to OPG mRNA. Over-expressed RANK bound to RANK ligand and promoted osteolysis. No RANK mRNA expression was detected in the LPS group, but OPG mRNA expression was transiently increased at 4 hours. NF-κB/inflammatory cytokine, rather than RANK/OPG, is the main signal pathway for LPS to induce osteolysis. After LPS binding to titanium particles, these two signal mechanisms, RANK/OPG and NF-κB/inflammatory cytokine, have synergistic effects during artificial joint loosening.

BACKGROUND:Pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is poorly understood,however,studies have demonstrated that vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)Is involved in the progression of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To detect the changes of VEGF mRNA expression of synovium in rabbit osteoarthritis and to evaluate the effect of sodium hyaluronate on its expression.METHODS:Twenty four white rabbits were divided into the normal control,physiologic saline,and sodium hyaluronate groups.The unilateral anterior cruciate ligament transection(ACLT)was performed in the physiologic saline and sodium hyaluronate groups.At weeks 4 after operation,rabbits in the physiologic saline group were injected 0.3 mL physiologic saline and in the sodium hyaluronate group received 10 g/L sodium hyaluronate injection,once per week for 5 successive weeks.All the animals were sacrificed at week 10 after operation.The cartilage changes on the medial femoral condyles were graded separately VEGF express Jon of synovium was detected by using teal time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The macroscopic score showed that the cartilage degeneration in the physiologic sailne group was significantly more severe than that of the normal control and sodium hyaluronate groups(P＜0 05)The expression of VEGF mRNA was obviously decreased in the physiologic saline group than that of the normal control group(P＜0 05).of which was increased in thesodium hyaluronate group,but still smaller than the normal control group(P＜0 05).The results demonstrated that the decreased VEGF expression in synovium may involved in the progression of osteoarthritis,and sodium hyaluronate has protective effect on articular cartilage by up-regulating the VEGF expression.

[Objective] To investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) on proliferation and expression of NF - kB of Schwann cells. [Methods] Schwann cells were cultured from sciatic nerves of SD rats in vitro. The Schwann cells were identified and purified by immunofluorescence of S-100 and Ara-C. Experimental group with was 100 nmol/L of PQQ and control group were set up. The expression of NF-kB in Schwann cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. [ Results] The expression of NF - kB were up - ragulated by PQQ in cultured Schwann cells (P<0.05).[Conclusion ] PQQ could promote the proliferation of Schwann cells and up-regulation of NF-rd3 play an important role in this process.