BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

BACKGROUND:Osteoarthritis is pathologically characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage and abnormal deformation of the subchondral bone.In recent years,with the deepening of medical research,it has been found that the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway has a regulatory role in inflammatory cell infiltration,inflammatory factor release,and chondrocyte proliferation,which is particularly important for the treatment of osteoarthritis.OBJECTIVE:To briefly review the main research progress in the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway regulating osteoarthritis in recent years,aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of osteoarthritis.METHODS:CNKI,WanFang and PubMed databases were searched for relevant literature using the search terms of"mitogen-activated protein kinases,osteoarthritis,extracellular signal-regulated MAP kinases,p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases,JNK mitogen-activated protein kinase"in Chinese and English.Relevant literature published from January 2019 to November 2024 was searched,and 108 articles were finally included for summary analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Various stimuli inside and outside the cells activate the MAPK signaling pathway,regulate gene transcription and protein synthesis,and promote the release of inflammatory factors,such as tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.The release of these inflammatory factors aggravates the progression of osteoarthritis.(2)The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine,mainly saponins and flavonoids,as well as Chinese herbal formulas and preparations with the main effects of activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis,tonifying the liver and kidney,can play a therapeutic role in osteoarthritis by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway,regulating the release of matrix metalloproteinases,balancing the homeostatic state of osteogenesis and osteoblastogenesis,attenuating the synovial inflammation,decreasing the release of inflammatory factors and inflammatory vesicles,decreasing cellular pyroptosis,promoting autophagy,and ameliorating oxidative stress.(3)Although traditional Chinese medicine has become popular in the treatment of osteoarthritis by virtue of its own advantages of multi-components,multi-targets,multi-pathways,and low side effects,the use of MAPK signaling pathway to guide the treatment of individual osteoarthritis is the difficulty of the technology,which needs to be continuously researched and explored.(4)Therefore,further development of relevant herbal inhibitors that can modulate the MAPK signaling pathway may be a potential drug strategy for the treatment of osteoarthritis in the future.

Three taraxerane nortriterpenoids were isolated from mastic by using various modern chromatographic separation techniques. They were identified as(5R,8R,9R,10S,11S,12R,13S,17R,18R)-28-norlupa-11,12-epoxy-14-taraxerene-3,16-dione(1),(5R,8R,9R,10S,11S,12R,13S,17S,18S)-17-hydroxy-28-norlupa-11,12-epoxy-14-taraxerene-3-one(2), and(5R,8R,9R,10R,11S,12R,13R,14S,17S,18S)-14,17-epoxy-28-norlupa-11,12-oxidotaraxerone(3) through the high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), infrared(IR), ultraviolet(UV), nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques as well as comparison with literature data. Compounds 1-3 were C-28 nortriterpenoids and isolated from mastic for the first time, and compounds 1-2 were new ones. In the model for RAW264.7 cell anti-inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), compound 1 demonstrates an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide(NO) [IC_(50)=(13.38±0.68) μmol·L~(-1)], comparable to the activity of the positive control dexamethasone [IC_(50)=(14.59±1.49) μmol·L~(-1)]. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibit weaker inhibitory effects, with IC_(50) values of(24.17±2.56) and(22.25±2.84) μmol·L~(-1), respectively.
Animals ; Mice ; Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Mastic Resin/chemistry* ; Nitric Oxide ; Molecular Structure ; Macrophages/immunology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of antibiotic-eluting absorbable calcium sulfate in treating periprosthetic infection after one-stage revision of knee arthroplasty. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 36 patients(36 knees)who underwent phaseⅠrevision for periprosthesis infection after total knee arthroplasty from January 2018 to March 2022. All patients were underwent knee cavity puncture before operation and had positive results of aseptic body fluid culture, 21 patients received revision combined with antibiotic loaded calcium sulfate at stageⅠ(calcium sulfate group) during operation, and 15 patients underwent renovation at stageⅠ(revision group). There were 9 males and 12 females in calcium sulfate group, aged from 54 to 76 years old with an average of(67.6±6.2) years old. There were 15 patients in revision group, including 4 males and 11 females, aged from 60 to 75 years old with average of (69.6±4.1) years old. The levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) at 7, 14, 30 and 90 days after operation were compared between two groups, and the rate of end-infection control at follow-up were compared. The systemic antibiotic application time, hospital stay and postoperative complications were observed between two groups. RESULTS: Calcium sulfate group were followed up for 12 to 29 months with an average of(18.9±4.2) months, and the infection control rate was 90.5%;while revision group were followed up 18 to 29 months with average of (21.6±3.7) months, and the infection control rate was 86.7% (13/15). There were no significant differences in follow-up time and infection control rate between two groups(P>0.05). Postoperative levels of CRP and IL-6 at 7, 14 and 30 days in calcium sulfate group were (32.79±11.48), (15.50±6.52), (9.36±3.32) mg·L^-1 and (17.31±6.15) pg·ml^-1, respectively;which were lower than those in revision group (40.65±11.32), (30.15±10.57), (18.97±5.86) mg·L^-1 and (25.54±6.73) pg·ml^-1, had statistical differences(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL-6 levels at 7 and 14 days after operation and CRP levels at 90 days after operation between two groups (P>0.05). The hospitalization time and systemic antibiotic application time in calcium sulfate group were (18.4±2.2) and (63.5±21.4) d, respectively;which were better than those in revision group (20.5±2.4) and (82.7±16.9) d, and had statistical differences(P<0.05). No significant wound complications and hypercalcemia were observed in calcium sulfate group. CONCLUSION Antibiotic eluted absorbable calcium sulfate could be used to treat periprosthetic knee infection, significantly reducing CRP levels in the early postoperative period, shortening hospital stay and systemic antibiotic application time, but it does not significantly improve the control rate of revision infection at stageⅠ.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Prosthesis-Related Infections/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Calcium Sulfate/administration & dosage* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Reoperation ; Knee Prosthesis/adverse effects*

BACKGROUND: Prolonged occupational noise exposure poses potential health risks, but its impact on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and methylation patterns remains unclear. METHOD: We recruited 306 factory workers, using average binaural high-frequency hearing thresholds from pure-tone audiometry to assess noise exposure. MtDNA damage was evaluated through mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and lesion rate, and mtDNA methylation changes were identified via pyrophosphate sequencing. RESULTS: There was a reduction in MT-RNR1 methylation of 4.52% (95% CI: -7.43% to -1.62%) among workers with abnormal hearing, whereas changes in the D-loop region were not statistically significant (β = -2.06%, 95% CI: -4.44% to 0.31%). MtDNAcn showed a negative association with MT-RNR1 methylation (β = -0.95, 95% CI: -1.23 to -0.66), while no significant link was found with D-loop methylation (β = -0.05, 95% CI: -0.58 to 0.48). Mediation analysis indicated a significant increase in mtDNAcn by 10.75 units (95% CI: 3.00 to 21.26) in those with abnormal hearing, with MT-RNR1 methylation mediating 35.9% of this effect. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that occupational noise exposure may influence compensatory increases in mtDNA content through altered MT-RNR1 methylation.
Humans ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; DNA Methylation ; Male ; Adult ; Noise, Occupational/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Female

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) quantitative flow ratio (QFR) in patients treated with PCI for chronic total occlusion (CTO) was still undetermined. METHODS: All CTO vessels treated with successful anatomical PCI in patients from PANDA III trial were retrospectively measured for post-PCI QFR. The primary outcome was 2-year vessel-oriented composite endpoints (VOCEs, composite of target vessel-related cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and ischemia-driven target vessel revascularization). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis was conducted to identify optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting the 2-year VOCEs, and all vessels were stratified by this optimal cutoff value. Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Among 428 CTO vessels treated with PCI, 353 vessels (82.5%) were analyzable for post-PCI QFR. 31 VOCEs (8.7%) occurred at 2 years. Mean value of post-PCI QFR was 0.92 ± 0.13. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis shown the optimal cutoff value of post-PCI QFR for predicting 2-year VOCEs was 0.91. The incidence of 2-year VOCEs in the vessel with post-PCI QFR < 0.91 (n = 91) was significantly higher compared with the vessels with post-PCI QFR ≥ 0.91 (n = 262) (22.0% vs. 4.2%, HR = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.32-10.70). CONCLUSIONS Higher post-PCI QFR values were associated with improved prognosis in the PCI practice for coronary CTO. Achieving functionally optimal PCI results (post-PCI QFR value ≥ 0.91) tends to get better prognosis for patients with CTO lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Shuangshi Tonglin Capsules (SSTL) in the treatment of prostate fibrosis (PF). METHODS: Human prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) were used for in vitro experiments to establish PF cell models induced with estradiol (E₂). The cell proliferation, migration and clonogenic capacity were determined by cell counting kit-8, scratch assay, and crystal violet staining, respectively. Sprague-Dawley rats were used for in vivo experiments. The changes in histomorphology and organ index of rat prostate by SSTL were determined. Pathologic changes and collagen deposition changes in rat prostate were observed by haematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to determine changes in rat PF markers fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), E₂ and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Mechanistically, changes in oxidative stress indicators by SSTL were determined in WPMY-1 cells and PF rats. Then the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway-related proteins as well as Nrf2 and TGF-β1 mRNA were further detected by Western blot or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction both in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: In the efficacy study, SSTL significantly reduced the proliferation, migration, and clonogenic ability of cells, improved the morphology of the glandular tissue, significantly reduced the prostate index, reduced glandular fibrous tissue and collagen deposition, and resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of FGF-23, E₂ and PSA (P<0.01 or P<0.05). In the mechanistic study, SSTL ameliorated oxidative stress by significantly increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels and decreasing malondialdehyde level in WPMY-1 cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL significantly elevated the expressions of Nrf2, HO-1, NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), and Smad7 proteins in both cells and rats, and significantly decreased the expressions of TGF-β1, collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin and Smad4 proteins (P<0.01 or P<0.05). SSTL also elevated the content of Nrf2 mRNA and decreased the content of TGF-β1 mRNA in cells and rats (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 was added in in vitro experiments to further validate the pathway relevance. CONCLUSION SSTL was effective in improving PF in vivo and in vitro, and its mechanism of action may function through the Nrf2/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
Male ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Fibrosis ; Prostate/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Rats

Aim To investigate the role of mesence-phalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor(MANF)in the inhibitory effect of rhynchophylline(Rhy)on the malignant biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells and its underlying regulatory mechanisms.Meth-ods SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells were transfected using adenovirus and liposome transfection techniques.The experimental groups included:Control group,Rhy group,Rhy+NC group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF-irrelevant fragment),Rhy+si-MANF group(Rhy+adenovirus-transfected MANF siRNA),Vec-tor group(empty vector),OVE-MANF group(recom-binant plasmid overexpressing MANF).After 24 hours of intervention,cell proliferation,apoptosis,migra-tion,and invasion were assessed using the MTT assay,Hoechst staining,and Transwell assays,respectively.The expressions of MANF,Cyclin D1,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins were measured using Western blot.NF-κB transcriptional activity was evaluated via a lucif-erase reporter assay.Results Compared to the control group,Rhy treatment significantly inhibited gastric cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner(P＜0.05),induced typical apoptotic morphological chan-ges,and increased the expression of MANF and cleaved caspase-3 proteins(P＜0.05),while reduc-ing Cyclin D1 protein expression and NF-κB transcrip-tional activity(P＜0.05).Additionally,Rhy treat-ment markedly decreased cell migration and invasion capabilities(P＜0.05).In comparison to the Rhy group,adenovirus-mediated transfection of MANF siR-NA suppressed apoptosis,promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,inhibited MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and enhanced Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB transcriptional activity(P＜0.05).Compared to the Vector group,OVE-MANF(overexpression of MANF)induced apoptosis,suppressed proliferation,invasion,and metastasis of gastric cancer cells,upregulated MANF and cleaved caspase-3 expression(P＜0.05),and inhibited Cyclin D1 protein levels and NF-κB tran-scriptional activity(P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhy in-hibits the proliferation,migration,and invasion of gas-tric cancer cells and induces apoptosis,with its mecha-nism linked to the promotion of MANF expression and suppression of NF-κB transcriptional activity.

Aim To investigate the expression levels of cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein-1(CYFIP1)in colorectal cancer and assess the impact of CYFIP1 interaction on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorec-tal cancer cell HT29,along with its potential mecha-nisms.Methods Immunohistochemistry was em-ployed to assess CYFIP1 expression in 32 colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues.Coexpressed genes were identified using the GEPIA2 website to predict potential correlations and binding sites.Following the construction of a siRNA-CYFIP1,alterations in cell proliferation,apoptosis,and levels of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated through CCK-8 assay,Hoechst 33342/PI double staining assay,and Western blot a-nalysis,respectively.Results The immunohisto-chemical findings revealed a significantly elevated level of CYFIP1 expression in colorectal cancer tissues com-pared to paracancer tissues(P＜0.05).The expres-sion of CYFIP1 did not show any correlation with age and gender,but exhibited associations with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).A conserved TP53 binding site was predicted in the 3kbps DNA re-gion upstream of the CYFIP1 gene using GEPIA2,JASPAR databases,and rVista 2.0 promoter prediction software.Following transfection of HT29 cells with siRNA-CYFIP1,the clonogenesis and proliferation of cells significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Additional-ly,the levels of cleaved caspase-3 were elevated,while the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were reduced after transfection with siRNA-CYFIP1(P＜0.05),which might be related to the interaction be-tween CYFIP1 and TP53.Conclusions The upregu-lation of CYFIP1 in colorectal cancer is associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.Upon silen-cing,CYFIP1 demonstrates the ability to suppress pro-liferation in HT29 cells and modulate the expression of apoptotic proteins.

Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.