To review the advance in the experimental studies and evaluate the potential therapeutic appl ication of the growth differentiation factor 5(GDF-5) and osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) in intervertebral disc degeneration.Methods Relevant l iterature at home and abroad publ ished in recent years was searched and analyzedcomprehensively. Results The growth factor was one of the most potential proteins in curing the intervertebral discdegeneration. In vitro, exogenous GDF-5 or OP-1 increased the deoxyribonucleic acid and proteoglycan contents ofboth nucleus pulposus and annlus fibrosis cells types significantly. GDF-5 at 200 ng/mL or OP-1 significantly stimulatedproteoglycan synthesis and collagen synthesis. In vivo, the injection of GDF-5(100 μg) or OP-1(100 μg in 10 μL 5% lactose) resulted in a restoration of disc height, improvement of magnetic resonance imaging scores, and histologic grading scores had statistical significance. Conclusion A single injection of GDF-5 or OP-1 has a reparative capacity on intervertebral discs, presumably based on its effect to stimulate matrix metabol ism of intervertebral disc cells and enhance extracellular matrix production. A single injection of exogenous GDF-5 or OP-1 in the degenerated disc shows a good prospect.
Objective To assess the effect of Dengzhanhua Injection for angina pectoris. Methods We performed an electronic search for MEDLINE (1966 to 2004), EMBASE (1974 to 2004), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2004), CBM and CNKI (1980 to 2004). We included randomized controlled trials that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluated the quality of those trials and performed the meta-analysis by RevMan 4.2.7. Results Eight trials were included involving 634 patients. However, they were of poor quality. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there were statistical difference on symptoms and electrocardiogram (ECG) improvements between Dengzhanhua and control group (Breviscarpine≥30 mg) with RR 1.26, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.44 and RR 1.30, 95%CI 1.14 to 1.49, respectively. However, Dengzhanhua Injection (Breviscarpinelt;30 mg) vs. basic therapy showed no statistical difference in either symptom improvement (RR 1.03, 95%CI was 0.90 to 1.18) or ECG improvement (RR 1.01, 95%CI 0.86 to 1.20). In addition, Dengzhanhua decreased the myocardial infarction attacks in one year following up (OR 0.06, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.29). Conclusions Little evidence shows that Dengzhanhua is superior to simple basic therapy in the symptoms and ECG improvements as an auxiliary drug. However, this systematic review can not draw a conclusion about the effectiveness of Dengzhanhua Injection compared to simple basic therapy in the treatment of angina pectoris due to the poor quantity of included trials.
Objective To explore the facilitative effects of different allogenic cells injected into the denervated muscles on the nerve regeneration, the protection of the myoceptor degeneration, and the promotion for rehabilitation of the muscular function. Methods Schwann cells, myoblast cells, and renal endothelial cells were prepared from 400 SD rats aged 7 days and weighing 20.0±2.3 g. Thirty-six adult female SD rats weighing 120-150 g were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=9). Under the asepsis condition, the left ischiadic nerves of all the SD rats were cut off, and the primary suture of the epineurium was performed. After operation, the different corresponding cells were injected into the triceps muscles of the rat calf in each group once per week for 4 times in all. One ml of Schwann cells (1×106/ml) was injected into the rats in Group A; 1 ml of the mixed cells of Schwann cells and myoblast cells (1×106/ml) was injected into the rats in Group B; 1 ml of the extract from the mixed cells of Schwann cells, myoblast cells, and renal endothelial cells (1×106/ml) was injected into the rats in Group C; 1 ml of the culture medium without any serum was injected into the rats in Group D as a control. After operation, observation was made for the general condition of the rats; 3 months after operation, enzymohistochemistry and the CJun expression were performedin the ventricornual motor neuron. At the proximal and the distal ends of the nerve suture, the density of neurilemma cells in the unit area and the area size of the regenerated nerve fibers were observed and measured. Results The affected limbs of the rats in Groups A, B and C improved 13 months after operation. The ulcers and swelling at the ankles gradually relieved and the rats could move normally 3 months after operation. However, the affected limbsof the rats in Group D still had ulcers and swelling, with an obvious contracture of the toes and a difficult movement. Three months after operation, the number of the target muscle myoceptor, the number of the Actin positive cells, the activity of the various enzymes in the denervated muscles, and the histological changes of the regenerated nerves were better in Group C than in Groups A and B (P＜0.01); and they were all better in Groups A, B and C than in Group D（Plt;0.01）. Conclusion Schwann cells, the mixture of Schwann cells and myoblast cells, and the extract from the mixture of Schwann cells, myoblast cells and renal endothelial cells can all promote neurotization and rehabilitation of the muscular function, and protect against the myoceptor degeneration. However, the effect of the extract is superior to that of Schwann cells or the mixed cells.
From 1986 through Dec. 1991, 305 cases of hemangioma were treated by local injection therapy with a follow-up of 3 to 48 months. The outcome was satisfactory, 278 cases were cured, and 27 cases were still under observation. The preparation of the tetracycline solution, the method of injection, the indications, the way of observation and nursing after injection were introduced, and the mechanism of action of its application, the diagnosis and treatment of the complications were discussed.
Objective To observe the survival of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) after injection into the vitreous of rabbits,and the animal safety under those procedures.Methods Twentyseven pigmented rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups (intravitreal injection 1 week group，2 weeks group and 4 weeks group)， each with 9 rabbits.For each animal the right eye was the experimental eye receiving hUCMSCs injection,while the left eye was the control eye receiving culture medium. The rabbit eyes were examined by slitlamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fundus fluorescence angiography（FFA）and Tonopen tonometer before and after injection. hUCMSCs were labeled by CMDil in vitro, and their survival status was measured by confocal fluorescence microscopy, light microscope and transmission electron microscope at 4 weeks after injection. Results Four weeks after injection, a large number of the hUCMSCs were still alive in the vitreous cavity. The overall condition of those rabbits was good. The anterior segment and retina of experimental eyes were normal, without hyperfluorescence, hypofluorescence and leakage in the retina at 1,2 and 4 weeks after injection. There was no significant difference on IOP before and after injection at different time points (P＞0.05), and no obvious changes at cornea, anterior chamber angle,lens,retinal structure by.light microscope and transmission electron microscope examination.Conclusion hUC-MSCs can survive in the rabbit vitreous for four weeks；intravitreal injection of hUCMSCs was safe and feasible.
Interventional embolization therapy is widely used for procedures such as targeted tumour therapy, anti-organ hyperactivity and haemostasis. During embolic agent injection, doctors need to work under X-ray irradiation environment. Moreover, embolic agent injection is largely dependent on doctors’ experience and feelings, and over-injection of embolic agent can lead to reflux, causing ectopic embolism and serious complications. As an effective way to reduce radiation exposure and improve the success rate of interventional embolization therapy, embolic agent injection robot is highly anticipated, but how to decide the injection flow velocity of embolic agent is a problem that remains to be solved. On the basis of fluid dynamics simulation and experiment, we established an arterial pressure-injection flow velocity boundary curve model that can avoid reflux, which provides a design basis for the control of embolic agent injection system. An in vitro experimental platform for injection system was built and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the embolic agent injection flow speed curve designed under the guidance of the critical flow speed curve model of reflux could effectively avoid the embolic agent reflux and shorten the embolic agent injection time. Exceeding the flow speed limit of the model would lead to the risk of embolization of normal blood vessels. This paper confirms the validity of designing the embolic agent injection flow speed based on the critical flow speed curve model of reflux, which can achieve rapid injection of embolic agent while avoiding reflux, and provide a basis for the design of the embolic agent injection robot.
Objective To evaluate the clinical effect and safety of western medicine plus Shenmai Injection versus western medicine alone for heart failure (HF) patients. Methods We searched CNKI (January 1979 to April 2009), VIP (January 1989 to April 2009), CBM (1978 to 2009), PubMed (1978 to April 2009), The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2009), and other relevant databases and journals to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about western medicine plus Shenmai Injection versus western medicine alone for HF patients. The methodological quality was assessed and the data was extralted according to the Cochrane Reviewer’s Handbook and related methods. Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.0.2 software.Results Fifteen eligible studies involving 1174 HF patients were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that western medicine plus Shenmai Injection therapy could precisely improve the general therapeutic effects (RR=1.27, 95%CI 1.19 to 1.35, Plt;0.000 01), increase left ventricular ejection fraction (WMD=7.17, 95%CI 4.65 to 9.70, Plt;0.000 01), and make ventricular diastolic function better (minor weight literature: WMD=0.38, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.45, Plt;0.000 01; major weight literature: WMD=0.38, 95%CI 0.32 to 0.45). Meanwhile, only one study indicated that western medicine plus Shenmai Injection could increase 6-minute walking distance, reduce BNP, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, respectively. Conclusion By comparison with western medicine alone, western medicine plus Shenmai Injection can improve the therapeutic effect on HF patients.
Objective To investigate the biomechanical influence ofvertebroplasty using autosolidification calcium phosphate cement (CPC) on thoracolumbar osteoporotic fractures. Methods Four cadaver specimens with osteoporosiswere applied to make spine unit. There were 2 females and 2 males, whose average age was 69 years.All underwent flexion-axial loading to result in vertebral body fracture. Following reduction, the middle fractured vertebral body were strengthened by the method of vertebroplasty, using CPC. Before fracture and after vertebroplasty, all were conducted biomechanical test. Results After being packed- CPC to the space in the fractured vertebral body, the strength andstiffness in vertebroplastic group (2 285±34 N，427±10 N/mm) were significantly higher than that in osteoporotic group (1 954±46 N，349±18 N/mm) (Plt;0.05). The vertebral height changing in vertebroplastic group(5.35±0.60 mm) were significantly lower than that in osteoporotic group (5.60±0.70 mm) (Plt;0.05). And the fractured body increases its strength and stiffnessby 16.92% and 22.31% respectively in comparison with its initial situation. Conclusion After being injected CPC into bone trabecular interspaces, the fractured vertebral bodies can restore its strength and stiffness markedly.