To establish a stable, useful culture system for human osteoclasts and to investigate the effect of osteoblasts on the differentiation, proliferation and activation of osteoclasts so as to provide a base for the studies on prevention and treatment of osteolysis and osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine estrogen receptor (ER) in osteoblasts from adult human and to elucidate the mechanism of estrogen in modulating bone metabolism. METHODS: The cultured osteoblasts were harvested from bone chips by modified sequential digestive enzyme release and immunohistochemical assay of ER in osteoblasts were carried out in three groups of female adults: normal control (group 1), patients with moderate osteoporosis (group 2) and patients with serious osteoporosis (group 3). The percentages of ER-positive osteoblasts from the three groups were compared by t test. RESULTS: The brown marks that indicate ER were found in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts, and the percentages of ER-positive osteoblasts among three groups were significantly different. CONCLUSION: ERs exist in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts. Estrogen may modulate bone metabolism through binding ER in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts. The reduction of ER of osteoblasts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:The incidence of patel ar complications is decreasing, however, the necessity of patel ar replacement remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the incidence rate of anterior knee pain and postoperative pain score in total knee arthroplasty without the patel ar replacement and to provide a reference for the formulation of clinical operation scheme. METHODS:151 patients with 193 knees receiving total knee arthroplasty were involved in this study. Al the patients were treated with patel ar forming but not resurfacing of the patel a. The Western Ontario and McMaster University (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index and America Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were used to evaluate patients before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. The function of knee joint, the incidence rate of anterior knee pain and visual analogous scale score before and after operation were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 6 and 12 months of total knee arthroplasty, WOMAC osteoarthritis index was significantly lower and HSS score was significantly higher than those before surgery (P<0.05). At 12 months post-operation, the incidence rate of anterior knee pain was 11.3%, which was significantly lower than the preoperative rate (94.5%) (P<0.05). At 12 months post-surgery, visual analogous scale scores were also significantly lower than the preoperative score (P<0.05). Total knee replacement without resurfacing of the patel a can effectively improve knee joint function in knee osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis patients, ameliorate the symptoms of anterior knee pain, has a good clinical effect within short term post-operation. The middle-and long-term effects need further exploration.

Objective : To investigate the role of early inhibition of Toll⁃like receptor 4 (TLR4) in regulating hippampal neuroimmune responseto adolescent ratsafter neonatal hypoxic⁃ischemic brain damage(HIBD) . Methods: Postnatal day 7 rats were randomized into controlgroup , hypoxic ischemia (HI) group , and HI + TAK⁃242( the specific inhibitor of TLR4)(TAK⁃242) group. The expression of TLR4 in rat hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry at 3 days after HI. Immunofluorescence were used to determine the number of Iba⁃1 + , GFAP + , CD161 + , MPO + and CD3 + cells in the hippocampus at 21 days after HI. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect ICAM⁃1 and C3a expression in the hippocampal CA1 region ; and Western blot was used to detect tumor necrosis factor interleukin IL⁃1β , TNF⁃α and IL⁃10 expression. Results : Compared with control group , significantly raised TLR4 expression was observed in the left hippocampal CA1 , CA3 and DG regions(P < 0. 01 or P < 0. 05) , while the expression in the TAK⁃242 group lowered compared to the HI group (P < 0. 05) . The number of GFAP + cells in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in the TAK⁃242 group of neonatal rats decreased compared to which in the HI group at 21 days after HI(P < 0. 05) , but the number of CD3 + T lymphocytes in the hippocampal CA1 area of new born rats in the HI group increased compared to which in the Control group (P < 0. 05) , but the difference between TAK⁃242 and the Control group was not statistically significant. The number of Iba⁃1 + cells , MPO + cells , CD161 + cells , the expression of ICAM⁃1 and C3a in hippocampal CA1 region , and the expression of TNF⁃α , IL⁃1β and IL⁃10 in hippocampus of rats were not different among groups at 21 days after HIBD. Conclusion Early inhibition of TLR4 may ameliorate adolescent neuroimmune disorders by reducing the increase of hippocampal astrocytesafter neonatal HIBD.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a kind of chronic autoimmune disease and osteoporosis is one of its complications.

To evaluate the efficacy of Tuina and Chinese patent drug Shuxuetong injection in preventing patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty from deep venous thrombosis and in functional rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effect and thepossible mechanism of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH)on immunocytes' adhesion to fibroblast-like synovocytes(FLS)isolated from patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA)and to study LMWH'S possible anti-inflammatory effect on RA.METHODS:LMWH's interference on the adhesion of peripheral blood monouclear cells(PBMC)isolated from healthy volunteers to FLS of RA patients was determined by quantitative counting using flow cytometry.The expression of CYR61 in the in vitro cultured FLS of RA patients was detected using real-time PCR technology.RESULTS:When FLS culture system was added with PBMC,PBMC were obviously found to adhere to FLS,but the number of adhered PBMC decreased after LMWH treatment,which manifested as increase of deciduous PBMC,increased more with the increase of LMWH dose.There was a high expression of CYR61 in synovium tissue in RA patients.CONCLUSION:LMWH inhibited the adheresion of PBMC to FLS from RA patients in a dose-dependent manner,which might be attributed to its competitive combination with heparin sulfate sites on CYR61.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of quercetin on the apoptosis of platelets and to analyze the intrinsic mechanism. METHODS: Firstly, the effects of quecetin on the apoptosis of platelets was detected by flow cytometry. Secondly, Western blot was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the platelets treated with quercetin for 2 and 4 day. RESULTS: By flow cytometry, it was found that the apoptosis of platelets in the quercetin-treated group (2, 4 and 8 μmol/L) was inhibited, the apoptosis rate of platelets in 2, 4 and 8 μmol/L quercetin group was 3.12%±0.32%, 2.89%±0.15% and 2.31%±0.28%, respectively, which were signigicantly lover than that in control group (P＜0.01). With the increase of quecetin concentration, the proportion ratio of platelets significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner（r=-0.9985）. Similar results were observed on the 4th day. Western blot showed that the treatment with quercetin (2, 4 and 8 μmol/L) promoted the expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, inhibited the expression of pro-apoptotic protein BAX, resulting in a significant increase in the ratio of BCL-2/BAX (P＜0.01), thereby inhibiting the apoptosis of platelets. Similar results were observed on the 4th day. CONCLUSION Quercetin can inhibit platelet apoptosis by increasing the ratio of apoptosis-related protein BCL-2/BAX in a concentration-dependent manner.
Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; Blood Platelets ; Quercetin

Objective To evaluate the outcome of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of stiff knee, and discuss the key points of operative technique and rehabilitation. Methods From February 2005 to April 2009, 23 patients with 34 stiff knees were treated with primary TKA. The study included 3 males (4 knees) and 20 females (30 knees), with the mean age of 56.9 years. Primary disease of the patients included rheumatoid arthritis (26 knees in 15 cases) and osteoarthritis (8 knees in 8 cases). Varus deformity was found in 10 knees (5°-15°), and valgus was found in 5 knees (5°-10°). Evaluations included preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) measurement, hospital for special surgery knee score (HSS), blood loss, operative time and assessment of postoperative complications. Results All patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 32.2 (range, 24 to 40) months. At the final follow-up visit, the HSS score increased from 42.9±5.2 preoperatively to 85.7±4.3, the range of motion increased from 42.6°±5.7° preoperatively to 89.2°±10.5°. Sixteen knees in 12 cases underwent manipulation at 3 to 8 weeks postoperatively for unsatisfied ROM, but ROM was still less than 90° in 8 knees at the last follow-up. The average blood loss were (632.4±180.2) ml in first 24 hours (450-850 ml) and the operative time were (98.1±18.6) min (80-150 min). Deep venous thrombosis was found in 3 patients. All the symptoms relieved after anticoagulant therapy. Postoperative varus deformity was seen in one patient, but the function of knee was good. No revision was needed. Conclusion Primary total knee arthroplasty is reliable method in treatment of stiff knees. Sufficient soft tissue release during the operation, postoperative muscle strength exercise and essential manipulation are key points for satisfactory outcomes.