Bone repair remains an important target in tissue engineering, making the development of bioactive scaffolds for effective bone defect repair a critical objective. In this study, β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffolds incorporated with processed pyritum decoction (PPD) were fabricated using three-dimensional (3D) printing-assisted freeze-casting. The produced composite scaffolds were evaluated for their mechanical strength, physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, in vitro pro-angiogenic activity, and in vivo efficacy in repairing rabbit femoral defects. They not only demonstrated excellent physicochemical properties, enhanced mechanical strength, and good biosafety but also significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, and aggregation of pro-angiogenic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vivo studies revealed that all scaffold groups facilitated osteogenesis at the bone defect site, with the β-TCP scaffolds loaded with PPD markedly enhancing the expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteopontin (OPN). Overall, the scaffolds developed in this study exhibited strong angiogenic and osteogenic capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. The incorporation of PPD notably promoted the angiogenic-osteogenic coupling, thereby accelerating bone repair, which suggests that PPD is a promising material for bone repair and that the PPD/β-TCP scaffolds hold great potential as a bone graft alternative.
Calcium Phosphates/chemistry* ; Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; Rabbits ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Humans ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Osteogenesis ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Biomimetic Materials ; Cell Proliferation ; Angiogenesis

Objective To investigate the effect of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS)on nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results in older adults without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases,and to identify factors causing fluctuations in nocturnal blood pressure in older adults with OSAS.Methods A total of 169 older adult OSAS patients with no history of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases were enrolled.According to their severity of OSAS,the participants were divided into 4 groups,including a normal OSAS group,a mild OSAS group,a moderate OSAS group,and a severe OSAS group.The baseline characteristics of the 4 groups were compared to identify differences.The relationship between polysomnography parameters and nocturnal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring results and the factors causing nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations in older adults with OSAS were further analyzed.Results The nocturnal blood pressure fluctuation(NBPF)index of the normal OSAS group,the mild OSAS group,the moderate OSAS group,and the severe OSAS group were 1.89±1.58,3.35±5.40,3.90±6.40,and 16.60±27.70,respectively,indicating that the NBPF index gradually increased with the increasing severity of OSAS(P＜0.05).According to findings from the partial correlation analysis,the NBPF index was positively correlated with apnea-hypopnea index(AHI),micro-awakening index(MAI),percentage of cumulative time with oxygen saturation under 90％in the total sleep time(TS90％),oxygen desaturation index(ODI),and the longest apnea time(LAT)(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with the lowest oxygen saturation(LSpO2)and sleep quality index(SQI)(P＜0.05).The mean nocturnal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were positively correlated with AHI,ODI,and TS90％(P＜0.05).A multi-factor regression analysis showed that every time ODI increased by 1 unit,the NBPF index increased by 0.26 units(β=0.26;95％CI,0.03-0.50;P=0.030),and every time TS90％increased by 1 unit,the NBPF index increased by 26.78 units(β=26.78;95％CI,2.47-51.08;P=0.031).Conclusion In older adult OSAS patients without cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease,fluctuations in blood pressure at night become more pronounced with increasing disease severity.ODI and TS90％are important factors that affect nocturnal blood pressure fluctuations.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between changes in total plasma bile acid (TBA) levels and the remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data and follow-up information of 20 patients with obesity and NAFLD undergoing LSG in Beijing Shijitan Hospital between Mar to Jun 2022.Results:Postoperative weight loss was significant. Compared to preoperative values, the weight of 20 patients decreased [(115.92±16.13) kg vs. (78.20±7.77) kg, t=15.675, P<0.001]. The BMI also decreased [(40.66±5.18) kg/m2 vs. (27.43±2.22) kg/m2, t=13.230, P<0.001]. The fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index decreased significantly [(96.34±5.23) vs. (27.96±20.36), t=16.829, P<0.001; (55.15±6.73) vs. (37.55±4.30), t=16.294, P<0.001]. Plasma TBA levels significantly increased [(7.06±2.80) vs. (12.27±3.79) μmol/L, P<0.001]. Indicators related to glucose, lipids, and liver function in patients significantly decreased. Conclusions:LSG can significantly reduce body weight in patients with obesity and NAFLD and improve NAFLD. LSG can increase plasma TBA levels, and the elevation in TBA levels is positively correlated with the degree of NAFLD remission.

Objective:To investigate the effect of verbascoside(VERB)on high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis(AS)in ApoE-/-mice and the effect on high mobility histone 1(HMGB1)/receptor for glycation end products(RAGE)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)pathway.Methods:A total of 90 ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into normal group,AS group,VERB group,simvastatin group and VERB+pathway activator HMGB1 group,with 18 mice per group.After 8 weeks of group administration,blood and aorta samples were taken.Fasting serum triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were deter-mined by automatic biochemical analyzer.Oil red O,HE and TUNEL staining were performed to observe apoptosis of aortic plaque and endothelial cell(EC).Flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating EC numbers.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the infiltration area of macrophages(CD68+)and T lymphocytes(CD3+)in aortic plaques.Western blot was performed to detect expressions of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway,inflammation and adhesion molecules.Results:Compared with normal group,AS group had lipid plaques in arterial intima,thickness of the media was uneven,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,total RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were decreased(P<0.05).After VERB or simvastatin intervention,arterial lesions were alleviated,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,MCP-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB level were decreased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),and HMGB1 was able to antagonize the protective effect of VERB on AS mice.Conclusion:VERB can inhibit expressions of inflammatory and adhesion fac-tors in arterial plaques in ApoE-/-mice,reduce EC shedding and apoptosis,therefore improve AS symptoms in ApoE-/-mice,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE and NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of melatonin(Mel)on inflammatory damage in the retina of rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the molecular mechanisms.Methods:Healthy neonatal SD rats were di-vided into the sham group(Sham),the model group(OIR),and the melatonin treatment group(OIR+Mel).The OIR model was induced by alternating 50%/10%oxygen concentration exposure for 14 d.The OIR+Mel group was in-jected intraperitoneally with 10 mg-kg-1 melatonin.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes in the retinal tissue;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of retinal cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1β proteins;and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of cGAS-STING-NL-RP3 signaling molecules and gasdermin(GSDMD)in the microglia of the retina.Results:HE staining results showed that compared with the Sham group,the retinal cells in the OIR group were disorganized and the thickness of the inner retina was significantly thinner,and the retinal cells in the OIR+Mel group were more neatly arranged compared with those in the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group decreased signifi-cantly compared with that of the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group de-creased significantly compared with that in the OIR group(P<0.05);The number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in-creased significantly in the OIR group compared with the Sham group,whereas the number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in the OIR+Mel group was significantly less than that in the OIR group,but still more than that in the Sham group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mel inhibits the pyroptosis of retinal microglia,thus attenuates retinal inflammatory injury in OIR rats,and its mechanism may be related to the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effects of melatonin(Mel)on inflammatory damage in the retina of rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR)and the molecular mechanisms.Methods:Healthy neonatal SD rats were di-vided into the sham group(Sham),the model group(OIR),and the melatonin treatment group(OIR+Mel).The OIR model was induced by alternating 50%/10%oxygen concentration exposure for 14 d.The OIR+Mel group was in-jected intraperitoneally with 10 mg-kg-1 melatonin.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the morpho-logical changes in the retinal tissue;immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of retinal cleaved-caspase-1 and IL-1β proteins;and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of cGAS-STING-NL-RP3 signaling molecules and gasdermin(GSDMD)in the microglia of the retina.Results:HE staining results showed that compared with the Sham group,the retinal cells in the OIR group were disorganized and the thickness of the inner retina was significantly thinner,and the retinal cells in the OIR+Mel group were more neatly arranged compared with those in the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cleaved-caspase-1+and IL-1β+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group decreased signifi-cantly compared with that of the OIR group(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining results showed that the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR group increased significantly compared with that in the Sham group,and the number of cGAS+,STING+and NLRP3+cells in the retina of rats in the OIR+Mel group de-creased significantly compared with that in the OIR group(P<0.05);The number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in-creased significantly in the OIR group compared with the Sham group,whereas the number of Iba-1+/N-GSDMD+cells in the OIR+Mel group was significantly less than that in the OIR group,but still more than that in the Sham group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Mel inhibits the pyroptosis of retinal microglia,thus attenuates retinal inflammatory injury in OIR rats,and its mechanism may be related to the cGAS-STING-NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of verbascoside(VERB)on high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis(AS)in ApoE-/-mice and the effect on high mobility histone 1(HMGB1)/receptor for glycation end products(RAGE)/nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)pathway.Methods:A total of 90 ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into normal group,AS group,VERB group,simvastatin group and VERB+pathway activator HMGB1 group,with 18 mice per group.After 8 weeks of group administration,blood and aorta samples were taken.Fasting serum triacylglycerol(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein(LDL)levels were deter-mined by automatic biochemical analyzer.Oil red O,HE and TUNEL staining were performed to observe apoptosis of aortic plaque and endothelial cell(EC).Flow cytometry was performed to analyze circulating EC numbers.Immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the infiltration area of macrophages(CD68+)and T lymphocytes(CD3+)in aortic plaques.Western blot was performed to detect expressions of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway,inflammation and adhesion molecules.Results:Compared with normal group,AS group had lipid plaques in arterial intima,thickness of the media was uneven,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,total RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were decreased(P<0.05).After VERB or simvastatin intervention,arterial lesions were alleviated,TG,TC,LDL levels,lession proportion,plaque area,circulating EC number,arterial EC apoptosis rate,macrophage(CD68+)and T lymphocyte(CD3+)infiltration areas,TNF-α,MCP-1,VCAM-1,ICAM-1,cytoplasm HMGB1,total HMGB1,RAGE protein levels and nuclear/total p65 NF-κB level were decreased(P<0.05),while nuclear HMGB1 protein,nuclear/total HMGB1 and cytosolic p65 NF-κB levels were increased(P<0.05),and HMGB1 was able to antagonize the protective effect of VERB on AS mice.Conclusion:VERB can inhibit expressions of inflammatory and adhesion fac-tors in arterial plaques in ApoE-/-mice,reduce EC shedding and apoptosis,therefore improve AS symptoms in ApoE-/-mice,and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HMGB1/RAGE and NF-κB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between changes in total plasma bile acid (TBA) levels and the remission of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with obesity after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data and follow-up information of 20 patients with obesity and NAFLD undergoing LSG in Beijing Shijitan Hospital between Mar to Jun 2022.Results:Postoperative weight loss was significant. Compared to preoperative values, the weight of 20 patients decreased [(115.92±16.13) kg vs. (78.20±7.77) kg, t=15.675, P<0.001]. The BMI also decreased [(40.66±5.18) kg/m2 vs. (27.43±2.22) kg/m2, t=13.230, P<0.001]. The fatty liver index and hepatic steatosis index decreased significantly [(96.34±5.23) vs. (27.96±20.36), t=16.829, P<0.001; (55.15±6.73) vs. (37.55±4.30), t=16.294, P<0.001]. Plasma TBA levels significantly increased [(7.06±2.80) vs. (12.27±3.79) μmol/L, P<0.001]. Indicators related to glucose, lipids, and liver function in patients significantly decreased. Conclusions:LSG can significantly reduce body weight in patients with obesity and NAFLD and improve NAFLD. LSG can increase plasma TBA levels, and the elevation in TBA levels is positively correlated with the degree of NAFLD remission.

Objective:To present the surgical details of manual double-layer suturing in patients with obesity combined type 2 diabetes mellitus by three-incision laparoscopic single-anastomosis duodenal-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy .Methods:Clinical data and follow-up information of 52 obesity combined type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (BMI 27.59-43.71 kg/m2) who underwent three-incision laparoscopic single-anastomosis duodenal-jejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy from Jan 2019 to Jul 2022 at Beijing Shijitan hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The procedure was successful in all patients. The median operative time was 120 (90, 120) min, and the median intraoperative bleeding was 20.0 (10.0, 27.5) ml. No fistula or serious surgical complications were observed in the patients at 1 month postoperatively. Compared with the preoperative period, the patient's weight decreased [(93.22±15.21) kg vs. (69.97±11.06) kg, t=21.707, P<0.01], BMI decreased [(33.11±4.09) kg/m 2vs. (24.86±2.95) kg/m 2, t=23.224, P<0.01], and the patient's fasting glucose level decreased [9.52 (7.57, 12.96) mmol/L vs. 5.47 (4.66, 6.39) mmol/L, Z=6.11, P<0.01]. The remission rate of various obesity comorbidities was greatly improved. Conclusion:Under the condition of three-incision laparoscopy, the pure manual duodenal and jejunal double-layer suture method is safe, feasible, and effective for patients with obesity combined with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of isoorientin on ulcerative colitis(UC)mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)and its mechanism.Methods Forty-eight C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,mesalazine group(600 mg·kg-1),isoorientin low dose group(25 mg·kg-1),isoorientin high dose group(50 mg·kg-1)and isoorientin control group(50 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.Mice were free to drink 2%DSS solution to replicate UC model.After three weeks of experiment,each drug administration group was given corresponding drug by intragastric administration for four weeks.After the last administration,the body weight was weighed,blood was taken from eyeballs,and colon tissue was dissected.The pathological changes of colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff(AB-PAS)staining.The ultrastructure of colon tissue was observed by transmission electron microscope.Serum levels of interleukin(IL)-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-1β,tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and myeloperoxidase(MPO)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of galectin-3(Gal-3)protein in colon tissue of mice was detected by immunohistochemistry analysis.The expression of MUC2 and the co-localization of NOD-like receptor heat protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC)were detected by immunofluorescence assay.The protein expression of Gal-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,Occludin,and zonula occludens protein-1(ZO-1)in colon tissue of mice were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the control group,the body weight and colon length in the model group were shortened significantly,while the index of colonic weight of mice were increased significantly(P＜0.01).The intestinal mucosal structure of mice was disordered,the microvilli were sparse,the crypt structure was infiltrated by a large number of inflammatory cells,mitochondria were significantly swollen,and goblet cells were obviously decreased.Serum levels of IL-6,IL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α,LPS,and MPO were significantly increased,while IL-10 level was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).The positive expression of MUC2 protein in colon tissue was decreased and the co-localization of NLRP3 and ASC was enhanced.The protein expression of Gal-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 in colon tissue were significantly increased,and the protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the body weight and colon length of mice in isoorientin low-and high-dose groups were significantly increased,the index of colonic weight of mice was apparently decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The structure of intestinal mucosa,microvilli and mitochondria recovered obviously,inflammatory infiltration was alleviated,and goblet cells were increased obviously.Serum levels of IL-6,IL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α,LPS,and MPO were significantly decreased,while IL-10 level was significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The positive expression of MUC2 protein in colon tissue was increased and the co-localization of NLRP3 and ASC was reduced.The protein expression of Gal-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,and IL-18 in colon tissue were significantly decreased,and the protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 were significantly increased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Isoorientin has a great therapeutic effect on DSS-induced UC mice.Its mechanism may be related to the protection of intestinal mucosal barrier by Gal-3/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling pathway.