Objective To investigate the effect of the synthetic bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)derived peptide on the osteogenic induction in the marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs）and to evaluate the osteoinductivity and dosedependence of the BMP-2 derived peptide in vitro. Methods MSCs of 4-week old Wistar rats were separated and cultured. In the 3rd passage, the conditional culture medium was changed, in which the BMP-2-derived peptide in the following doses was added: 300,200, 100, 50, and 0 μg/ml, respectively (Groups A-E). The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP）and the amount of calciumdeposition were meassured at 5，10，15 and 20 days during the culture with the conditional culture medium. The real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) was performed to measure the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ, osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin（OCN）and to measure the osteoinductivity of the BMP-2-derived peptide in the different concentrations.Results Under the inverted phase contrast microscope, MSCs cultured in the conditional culture medium for 3-4 days were changed in shape, from long fusiform to short fusiform or polygon. As the concentration of the BMP-2-derived peptide increased, the time for MSCs to change into the osteoblasts decreased. There was a significantly greater level of the ALP activity and amount of the calcium deposition in Groups A and B than in the other groups（Plt;0.05）. However,there was no significant difference between Group A and Group B （Pgt;0.05）. Theresult of FQPCR showed that after MSCs were cultured in the different doses of theconditional culture medium for 14 days, the mRNA expressions of collagen type Ⅰ, OPN andOCN were at higher levels. An increasing order in the level of the cycle threshold (Ct) was found in the following groups: Agt;Bgt;Cgt;D. Almost no expression was found in Group E. The Ct levels were significantly greater in Groups A and B thanin Groups C and D（Plt;0.05）. However, there was no significant difference between Group A and Group B （Pgt;0.05）.ConclusionThe BMP-2-derived peptide can greatly promote differentiation of MSCs into the osteoblasts, the promotion of osteogenesis has a dosedependent pattern, and the best inducing dosage is 200 μg/ml.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of microvascular spasm after limb ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: The rabbit hindlimb normothermic tourniquet ischemia model was employed. The tendon on the dorsum of the foot was exposed for observation of microvessels. The responses of arterioles on tendon surface to topical application of 10(-6) mol/L noradrenaline (NE) (a vasoconstrictor), 10(-6) mol/l acetylcholine(Ach) (an endothelium-dependent vasodilator) and 10(-4) mol/L nitroglycerin(NTG) (an endothelium-independent vasodilator) were observed at the period of ischemia and following 30 minutes of reperfusion after 2 hours and 5 hours of ischemia by use of intravital microscopy. RESULTS: No significant changes in the responses of arterioles to NE, Ach and NTG were noted following 30 minutes of reperfusion after 2 hours of ischemia compared with pre-ischemia. The constrictor responses of arterioles to NE were still not significantly altered following 30 minutes of reperfusion after 5 hours of ischemia, however, the dilation responses to Ach and NTG were significantly decreased (to Ach P lt; 0.01; to NTG, P lt; 0.05). CONCLUSION: Reperfusion after 5 hours of ischemia significantly impairs both the endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation, meanwhile preserves constrictor responses to NE, these may contribute to the genesis of the vasospasm in ischemia reperfusion.
Abstract:Objective To observe the expression of calcium-dependent proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2（Pyk2） in myocardium of rheumatic heart disease, the relationship between its role and cardiac fibrosis and clinical significance. Methods The blue myocardium collagen stain were analysed after Masson staining in 30 patients with rheumatic heart disease （RHD group） and 6 normal myocardium specimens （control group）. The contents of hyaluronic acid （HA）, laminin（LN） and type IV collagen（IV-C） were detected by radio-immunity method,and the expressions of Pyk2 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid（mRNA） were explored by immunohistochemistry methods and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction （RT PCR）,then the correlations of these results were statistically analyzed. Results The contents of HA,LN and IV C in RHDgroup increased compared to control group（174.95±76.14μg/L vs. 70.06±15.63μg/L, 153. 86 ± 20. 72μg/L vs. 90.01±14. 11μg/L, 95. 26±7.66μg/L vs. 63. 21±10.62μg/L; P= 0.003, 0. 013, 0. 035）. The Pyk2 absorption and the ratio of Pyk2 mRNA/glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH） in RHD group were significantly higher than those in control group （0. 325 ± 0. 032 vs. 0.106±0.013, 0.870±0.085 vs. 0.573±0.042; P=0.048, 0.006）.There were positive correlativity between the expression of Pyk2 protein and HA, LN and IV-C （r=0. 611, 0. 743, 0. 829, P〈0. 01）, there were positive correlativity between the expression of Pyk2 mRNA and LN, IV-C （r=0. 794, 0. 766, P〈0.05）. Conclusion Pyk2 may play a key role in the proceeding of cardiac fibrosis in rheumatic heart disease by increasing collagen synthesis in myocardium.
ObjectiveTo explore therapeutic mechanisms and clinical application prospects of novel weight-loss medications in patients with obesity complicated by cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, aiming to provide theoretical support and therapeutic strategies for personalized precision management of CKM syndrome. MethodsRecent domestic and international studies were retrospectively reviewed, focusing on the mechanisms of action, clinical research outcomes, and application progress of novel weight-loss medications, including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP)/GLP-1 receptor agonists, triple GIP/GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonists, and amylin analogues. Special emphasis was placed on their comprehensive effects on cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic parameters. ResultsNovel weight-loss medications have demonstrated significant weight reduction and multisystem benefits through precise regulation of central appetite pathways, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Among these medications, GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., semaglutide) and dual receptor agonists (e.g., tirzepatide) have been confirmed in phase Ⅲ clinical trials to effectively reduce cardiovascular event risks, slow renal function deterioration, and markedly improve glycemic control in obese patients with CKM syndrome. Triple receptor agonists (e.g., retatrutide) and combination medication regimen (e.g., CagriSema regimen) have further enhanced weight-loss efficacy, providing novel therapeutic avenues for obesity-related diseases. Additionally, these medications usually require combined application with traditional chronic disease medications, such as sodium-glucose linked transporter 2 inhibitors and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers, to achieve comprehensive therapeutic outcomes in CKM syndrome patients. However, further studies are needed to address long-term safety in real-world settings, optimization of drug formulations, and application in precision medicine. ConclusionsNovel weight-loss medications offer promising strategies for personalized precision treatment of obesity with CKM syndrome due to their significant weight-loss efficacy and multisystem synergistic effects. Although current clinical trials demonstrate substantial therapeutic potential, the complexity of CKM syndrome and individual patient variability necessitate additional in-depth research to facilitate broader clinical adoption and optimization of these medications.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and clinical significance of cyclin dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and their correlation in human colorectal cancer tissues. MethodsThe CDK8 and TGF-β1 mRNA expressions were examined by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the protein expresssions of them were detected by immunohistochemistry on a cohort of human colorectal cancer tissues (n=40) and corresponding adjacent tissues (n=40). The correlation between CDK8 and TGF-β1 was also analyzed. ResultsThe expression levels of CDK8 mRNA and TGF-β1 mRNA in colorectal cancer were dramatically increased compared with the corresponding adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). The expression level of CDK8 mRNA was significantly associated with lymphnode metastasis, depth of invasion, and colorectal cancer stage (P < 0.05). However, the expression level of CDK8 mRNA was no correlation with the age, gender of patients, tumor size and differentiation of colorectal cancer in this study. The expression level of TGF-β1 mRNA was significantly associated with lymphnode metastasis, depth of invasion, tumor size and colorectal cancer stage (P < 0.05). However, the expression level of TGF-β1 mRNA was no correlation with the age, gender of patients and differentiation of colorectal cancer. The expressions of CDK8 mRNA and TGF-β1 mRNA in colorectal cancer was positively correlated (r=0.387, P=0.048). ConclusionsThe upregulation of CDK8 and TGF-β1 expression may be related to the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer, and the two may have a synergistic effect, which may be related to the biological behavior and prognosis of colorectal cancer.
Objective To explore effects of zinc on the contents of cycl in D2, cycl in-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), and their DNA and total cellular protein in human umbil ical cord blood-drived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBMSCs). Methods hUCBMSCs were isolated and cultured by density gradient centrifugation adherence method in vitro. At the serial subcultivation, the hUCBMSCs were randomly divided into 7 groups. In control group, hUCBMSCs were cultured with DMEM medium (containing 15%FBS). In treatment groups, hUCBMSCs were cultured with DMEM medium (containing 15%FBS plusZnSO4•7H2O). The final concentrations of zinc were 0.5, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, and 5.5 mg/L, respectively. The cellular surface antigens of CD29, CD34, CD44, and CD45 at the 3rd generation of hUCBMSCs were detected by flow cytometry. MTT assay was used to detect cell activity of the 3rd generation of hUCBMSCs. The optimum concentration of zinc was selected by the results of MTT as experimental group. The cell growth curves of experimental group and control group were drown by counting cell. The cell surface antigen, reproductive cycle, and DNA content were detected by flow cytometry motheds. The contents of cycl in D2 and CDK4 were detected by Western blot method. Results The positive expression rates of CD29 and CD44 were more than 70% in hUCBMSCs. The cell activity of 2.5 mg/L treatment group was superior to other treatment groups, as experimental group. At 7, 14, and 28 days, the contents of DNA, total cellular protein, cycl in D2, and CDK4 of hUCBMSCs were significantly higher in experimental group than those in control group (P lt; 0.01). The percentage of hUCBMSCs at S stage and prol iferation index in experimental group were also significantly higher than those in control group (P lt; 0.01). Conclusion Zinc (0.5-4.5 mg/L) has the promoting effect on the hUCBMSCs activity, and 2.5 mg/L is the optimal concentration. Zinc (2.5 mg/L) can accelerate the prol iferation and DNA reproduction of hUCBMSCs and increase the contents of cycl in D2 , CDK4, and cellular total protein.
ObjectiveTo analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) in lung adenocarcinoma by bioinformatics.MethodsBased on the gene expression data of lung adenocarcinoma patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the differential expression of CDK1 in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and normal lung tissues was analyzed. The expression of CDK1 gene in lung adenocarcinoma was analyzed by UALCAN at different angles. Survival analysis of different levels of CDK1 gene expression in lung adenocarcinoma was performed using Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Correlation Cox analysis of CDK1 expression and overall survival was based on clinical data of lung adenocarcinoma in TCGA. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed on gene sequences related to CDK1 expression in clinical cases. The protein interaction network of CDK1 from Homo sapiens was obtained by STRING. CDK1-related gene proteins were obtained and analyzed by the web server Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA).ResultsBased on the analysis of TCGA gene expression data, CDK1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma was higher than that in normal lung tissues. UALCAN analysis showed that high CDK1 expression may be associated with smoking. Survival analysis indicated that when CDK1 gene was highly expressed, patients with lung adenocarcinoma had a poor prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of CDK1 expression and overall survival showed that high CDK1 expression was an independent risk factor for survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that high CDK1 expression was closely related to DNA replication, cell cycle, cancer pathway and p53 signaling pathway.ConclusionCDK1 may be a potential molecular marker for prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, CDK1 regulation may play an important role in DNA replication, cell cycle, cancer pathway and p53 signaling pathway in lung adenocarcinoma.
Objective To observe the influence of the transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) on the denervated mouse musclederived stem cells（MDSCs） producing the connective tissue growth factor（CTGF）at different time points in vitro. Methods MDSCs from the primarycultureof the denervated mouse skeletal muscle were isolated and purified by the preplate technique, and they were identified before the culture and after the culturein vitro with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for 24 hours. Then, MDSCs were randomlydivided into 6 groups (Groups A, B, C, D, E and F) according to the different time points, and were cultured in vitro with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours, respectively. The levels of CTGF mRNA in MDSCs were measured by the real time RT-PCR and the expression of CTGF protein was detected by the CTGF Western blot. Results The immunohistochemistry revealed that before the adding of TGF-β1, MDSCs highly expressed Sca-1, with a positivityrate of 96%; however, after the adding of TGF-β1, the positive expression of Sca-1 decreased greatly, with a negativity rate gt;99%. The Western blot test showed that the ratios of CTGF to the average absorbance of βactin in Groups A-F were 0.788±0.123, 1.063±0.143, 2.154±0.153, 2.997±0.136, 3.796±0.153 and 3.802±0.175, respectively. In Groups AD，the absorbance increased gradually, with a significant difference between the abovementioned groups (Plt;0.05). However, in Groups D-F, there was no significant difference between the groups as the promotive tendency became less significant (P＞0.05). The RT-PCR test showed that the △Ct values in GroupsA-F were 1.659±0.215, 1.897±0.134, 2.188±0.259, 2.814±0.263,2.903±0.125 and 3.101±0.186, respectively. In Groups A-D, the increase in the △Ct value was gradual, but the differences were significant between the groups (Plt;0.05). But in Groups E and F, the promotive tendency became less significant（Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion TGF-β1 can promote the production of CTGF inthe mouse MDSCs cultured in vitro and the time-dependent relation exists for 3-12 hours.
Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) in the activation of aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs) in aortic stenosis. Methods Isolating primary AVICs and stimulating their activation with transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1, 30 ng/mL), the expression of PGC-1α was detected. The activation of AVICs induced by TGF-β1 was observed after overexpression of PGC-1α by adenovirus or inhibition of PGC-1α function by GW9662. The possible downstream molecular mechanism of PGC-1α in AVICs activation was screened. Finally, the phenotype was further verified in primary human AVICs. Results The expression of PGC-1α decreased after the activation of AVICs induced by TGF-β1 (control group: 1.00±0.18; 24 h: 0.31±0.10; 48 h: 0.32±0.06; 72 h: 0.20±0.07; P<0.05). Specific overexpression of PGC-1α by adenovirus inhibited the activation of AVICs induced by TGF-β1 stimulation (periostin: 3.17±0.64 vs. 1.45±0.54, P<0.05; α-smooth muscle actin: 0.77±0.11 vs. 0.28±0.06, P<0.05). On the contrary, inhibition of PGC-1α function by GW9662 promoted the activation of AVICs (periostin: 2.20±0.68 vs. 7.99±2.50, P<0.05). Subsequently, it was found that PGC-1α might inhibit the activation of AVICs through downregulating the expression of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMK1δ) (0.97±0.04 vs. 0.74±0.11, P<0.05), and downregulating the expression of CAMK1δ alleviated the activation of AVICs (periostin: 1.76±0.11 vs. 0.99±0.20, P<0.05). The possible mechanism was that the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway was inhibited by reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (778.3±139.4 vs. 159.3±43.2, P<0.05). Finally, the protective effect of PGC-1α overexpression was verified in the activated phenotype of human AVICs (periostin: 2.73±0.53 vs. 1.63±0.14, P<0.05; connective tissue growth factor: 1.27±0.04 vs. 0.48±0.09, P<0.05). Conclusions The expression of PGC-1α significantly decreases during the activation of AVICs induced by TGF-β1. The overexpression of PGC-1α significantly inhibites the activation of AVICs, suggesting that PGC-1α plays a protective role in the activation of AVICs. The possible mechanism is that PGC-1α can inhibit the activation of CAMK1δ-ROS-mTOR pathway. In conclusion, interventions based on PGC-1α expression levels are new potential therapeutic targets for aortic stenosis.