OBJECTIVETo study the expression of lipoprotein related genes in subchondral bone of early experimental os-teoarthritis, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

METHODSAnimals are equally divided into two groups: experimental group and control group, both of which contain fifteen rats of similar weight. The right knee joints of experimental group underwent surgery,which involved in both medial collateral ligament(MCL) transaction and medial meniscectomy, while the control group was only carried out with a sham operation. Rats were killed at 1, 2 and 4 weeks postsurgery to obtain the right knee joints. Total RNA of the subchondral bone was extracted,and then hybridized to Agilent Whole Rat Genome Microarray. Differentially expressed genes analysis was used to study the chemokine signaling pathway.

RESULTSApoa5 expression was down-regulated at 1, 2 weeks post-surgery, Apoc2 expression was up-regulated at 1 week after surgery, Apol3 expression was up-regulated at 1 and down-regulated at 4 weeks post-surgery, Lrp1 expression was down-regulated at 1, 2 weeks after surgery. Lrp5 was down-regulated at 2 weeks after surgery. Gpihbp1, Lpl, Tfpi and Vldlr were up-regulated at 1 weeks after surgery. Lrpap1 and RGD1309808 were down-regulated at 4 weeks after surgery.

CONCLUSIONDysregulation of lipoprotein related genes plays an important role in pathogenesis of early experimental osteoarthritis.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Knee Joint ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins ; genetics ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcriptome

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong on mammary estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions in rats with dimethylbenzanthracine (DMBA)-induced mammary cancer. Methods One hundred and twenty female SD rats aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into a model group of 60 rats and a blank group of 30 rats. The model group received an oral gavage of DMBA for model making. The blank group received an oral gavage of equal volume of sesame oil. At 15 weeks after model making, the model group of rats was randomized into treatment and control groups. The treatment group received acupuncture at Zusanli, Sanyinjiao and Danzhong, and the control and blank groups, only the same grasp and release. After the completion of acupuncture treatment (twenty-seventh week), abdominal venous blood was taken and serum tumor markers were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Tumor masses were counted and their shapes were recorded. The mass was taken and its height, maximum diameter and vertical diameter were measured using a 1 mm precision vernier caliper. Pathological changes in tumor tissues, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities were observed under an Olympus optical microscope.Results There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the average number and volume of mammary tumors between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the concentrations of various tumor markers (CA724, CA125, CA199, AEP, CA15-3, CEA and CA50) between the treatment or control group and the blank group (P<0.01,P<0.05) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01). There was a statistically significant post-treatment difference in CA15-3 concentration between the treatment and control groups (P<0.01). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities between the treatment group and the control or blank group (P<0.01) and between the control and blank groups (P<0.01).Conclusions Acupuncture can reduce the occurrence of rat DMBA-induced mammary tumor (including the number and volumes of the tumors). The mechanism of its action may be related to decreasing the concentrations of tumor markers CA724, CA125, CA199, CA15-3, AEP, CEA and CA50 and especially to decreasing CA15-3 concentration, and ER and PR positive areas and mean optical densities.

OBJECTIVETo compare therapeutic effects of different acupoints selected on restless legs syndrome.

METHODSEighty-one cases were randomly divided into a treatment group (n=41) treated by acupoint selection method according to nerve anatomy and combination of positive findings with neurobiological theory, and a control group (n=40) treated by traditional acupoint selection method.

RESULTSThe effective rate and the markedly effective rate were 97.6% and 90.3% in the treatment group, and 75.0% and 60.0% in the control group with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01), and there was a significant difference between the two groups in the needed treatment times for the cured cases (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint selection method according to nerve anatomy, positive findings and neurobiological theory has a better therapeutic effect on restless legs syndrome as compared with the traditional method.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Meridians ; Restless Legs Syndrome

Objective To investigate the effect of BDNF on cell injuries, cell apoptosis especially, induced by 25-35 segment of β-amyloid protein (Aβ25-35) at condensed state in PC12 cells.Methods The viability of PC12 cells, the apoptosis of PC12 cells and the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 were detected by MTT, Annexin V-PI staining and Western blotting, respectively. Trk B receptor inhibitor K252a (200 nmol/l) was employed to observe the mechanism of 50 ng/ml BDNF on Aβ25-35 (20 μmol/L)-induced cell injury. Results BDNF (50 ng/ml) could significantly prevent the decrease of cell viability and cell apoptosis, and the increase of Bax expression and the decrease of Bcl-2 expression induced by 20 μmol/L Aβ25-35, and prevent the increase of up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio; and these effects were blocked by K252a (200 nmol/1). Conclusion BDNF can prevent Aβ25-35-induced cell injury, cell apoptosis especially, by binding to its specific receptor Trk B.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of FTY720, a new immunosuppressive agent, on apoptosis and autophagy in multiple myeloma(MM) cell line U266 and to clarify its molecular mechanism.

METHODSU266 cells were treated with 0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 µmol/L FTY720 for 24 hours, and the cell viability was assayed by CCK-8 method. Then U266 cells were treated with 20.0 µmol/L FTY720 for 0, 2, 6 and 24 hours, the cell viability was tested. The apoptotic rates induced by different doses and time points of FTY720 were tested by flow cytometry separately. The expression of LC3B was detected by Western blot after U266 cells treated with different doses of FTY720 to see autophagy. U266 cells were treated with FTY720 ± Bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of autophagy, for 24 hours, then the cell viability and apoptotic rates were tested. Meanwhile the expression of survivin, anti-apoptotic factors, were tested by Western blot.

RESULTSThe cell viability and the apoptotic rates were inhibited significantly by FTY720 (P < 0.05) in time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. The expression of LC3B-II increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, it indicated that the autophagy was induced by FTY720. Bafilomycin A1 could rescue the cell viability and apoptotic rates in U266 cells treated with FTY720, and it could also rescue the expression of survivin decreased by FTY720.

CONCLUSIONSFTY720 can cause apoptosis and autophagy of U266 cells. The autophagy promote the apoptosis, which maybe due to the degradation of anti-apoptotic factors such as survivin or their upstream factors in lysosomes through autophagy.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fingolimod Hydrochloride ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; pathology ; Propylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Sphingosine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

This study was aimed to investigate the influence of TIEG1 on apoptosis of HL-60 cells and the expression of Bcl-2/Bax. Different concentration of TIEG1 were used to treat HL-60 cells, the cell growth inhibition rate was detected by MTT method. After treating HL-60 cells with 12.03 ng/ml TIEG1, cell apoptosis was detected with flow cytometry. Bcl-2 and Bax was detected with RT-PCR. The results showed that TIEG1 had inhibitory effect on HL-60 cell proliferation, and in time-and dose-dependent manners. The more obvious inhibitory effect was observed in HL-60 cells treated with TIEG1 of 12.03 ng/ml. During the course of cell apoptosis, Bax expression increased, but Bcl-2 expression decreased (P < 0.05). It is concluded that TIEG1 inhibits HL-60 cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in time and dose-dependent manners. During the course of HL-60 cells apoptosis induced by TIEG1, Bcl-2/Bax are associated with HL-60 cell apoptosis induced by TIEG1.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Early Growth Response Transcription Factors ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

This study was aimed to explore whether bortezomib can sensitize HL-60 cells to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and to investigate its possible mechanism. The HL-60 cells were treated by different concentrations of TRAIL combined with subtoxic concentration of bortezomib. The proliferative inhibition of treated HL-60 cell was analysed by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double staining and the expression of caspase-8 was detected by Western blot. The results showed that the subtoxic concentration of bortezomib combined with 10 ng/ml of TRAIL enhanced apoptosis of HL-60 cells, as compared with TRAIL used alone; the expression of caspase-8 increased correspondingly. It is concluded that subtoxic concentration of bortezomib can sensitize HL-60 cells to TRAIL and its mechanism may be related to upregulation of caspase-8 expression.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Boronic Acids ; pharmacology ; Bortezomib ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology ; TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the effect of stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the endometrial thickness in patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET (in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer). Method Seventy-two patients suffering from repeated implantation failure in IVF-ET were randomized into two groups. Thirty-six cases in the treatment group were intervened by stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy plus oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets; the other 36 cases in the control group were prescribed with oral administration of Estradiol valerate tablets alone. The implantation result of IVF-ET was analyzed 3 cycles later. The endometrial thickness was compared before and after the intervention. Result The endometrial thickness of the non-pregnant women increased after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the increase in the treatment group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Stage-based acupuncture-moxibustion therapy can improve the endometrial thickness, promote the growth of endometrium, benefit the implantation of embryo, and enhance the clinical pregnancy rate.

OBJECTIVETo analyze different mutations in regulatory sequence of prolactin (PRL) gene during the formation of 17 beta-estradiol (E2 ) -induced prolactinoma in eutopic and ectopic pituitary of rats.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats transplanted with an isologaus pituitary under renal capsule were treated with subcutaneous implantation of an empty or E2-laden silastic capsule. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was employed to evaluate the expression of PRL mRNA in pituitary glands, and DNA sequencing was used to analyze the mutation in regulatory sequence of PRL gene.

RESULTSAfter treated with E2 for 120 days, both the eutopic and ectopic pituitaries were three times more heavier than those from control group (P < 0. 01) , and the body weight of rats was decreased to 42. 90% of the control group (P < 0 01 ). The PRL mRNA expressions in glands from the eutopic and ectopic pituitaries 120 days after treated with E2 were much more than those in untreated pituitary glands (P <0. 01). DNA sequencing showed seven mutations in the regulatory sequence of PRL gene in the eutopic pituitaries 120 days after treated with E2 , while the mutation in the ectopic pituitaries was decreased.

CONCLUSIONSProlactinomas can be induced by chronic treatment with E2 in both the eutopic and the ectopic pituitaries transplanted under renal capsule distant from the hypothalamus. Different mechanisms exist in the formation of eutopic and ectopic prolactinomas.

Animals ; Estradiol ; Male ; Mutation ; Pituitary Gland ; transplantation ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Prolactin ; genetics ; Prolactinoma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transplantation, Homologous

BACKGROUNDResection of sacral chordomas is challenging. The anatomy is complex, and there are often no bony landmarks to guide the resection. Achieving adequate surgical margins is, therefore, difficult, and the recurrence rate is high. Use of computer navigation may allow optimal preoperative planning and improve precision in tumor resection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of computer navigation-aided resection of sacral chordomas.

METHODSBetween 2007 and 2013, a total of 26 patients with sacral chordoma underwent computer navigation-aided surgery were included and followed for a minimum of 18 months. There were 21 primary cases and 5 recurrent cases, with a mean age of 55.8 years old (range: 35-84 years old). Tumors were located above the level of the S3 neural foramen in 23 patients and below the level of the S3 neural foramen in 3 patients. Three-dimensional images were reconstructed with a computed tomography-based navigation system combined with the magnetic resonance images using the navigation software. Tumors were resected via a posterior approach assisted by the computer navigation. Mean follow-up was 38.6 months (range: 18-84 months).

RESULTSMean operative time was 307 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 3065 ml. For computer navigation, the mean registration deviation during surgery was 1.7 mm. There were 18 wide resections, 4 marginal resections, and 4 intralesional resections. All patients were alive at the final follow-up, with 2 (7.7%) exhibiting tumor recurrence. The other 24 patients were tumor-free. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score was 27.3 (range: 19-30).

CONCLUSIONSComputer-assisted navigation can be safely applied to the resection of the sacral chordomas, allowing execution of preoperative plans, and achieving good oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, this needs to be accomplished by surgeons with adequate experience and skill.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chordoma ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Treatment Outcome