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Background: This study investigates the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) in ameliorating inflammatory mediator expression and neointimal formation in a rat model of vascular injury. Methods and Results: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with left carotid artery (LCA) injury induced by balloon dilatation (BD; group 1) were compared with group 2 [LCA injury plus ECSW-181 (defined as 181 total shocks given in LCA at 0.011 mJ/mm2) on day 2 post-LCA injury], and group 3 (normal controls). The rats in each group were further divided into 3 subgroups (n = 6, each) that were sacrificed on postoperative day 3, 7 and 14, respectively. The results demonstrated that, compared to groups 2 and 3, group 1 had significantly increased cellular expression of CD40, interleukin-18, and connexin 43 at each analyzed time point (all p < 0.001). Additionally, LCCA macrophage (CD68) recruitment was substantially increased in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, LCA neointimal proliferation and media thickness were markedly higher in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 on days 7 and 14 post-BD (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: ECSW markedly attenuates inflammatory responses, proliferation of neointima and smooth muscle cells in a rat vascular injury model. Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 316L stainless steel plate was covered with a ZrO2 coating using the sol-gel dip coating technique, and preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted. The morphology and crystal structure of the coatings were examined using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction, and their surface chemical structures were characterised using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The quality and adhesion of the coatings on the substrate were measured using a nano-indenter with lateral force and scratch modes. ZrO2 was formed on a 316L plate at various temperatures, resulting in different crystalline structures, surface morphologies, and integration with the 316L surface. The optimal conditions to produce ZrO2-316L are an annealing temperature of 500 °C and duration of 1 h (ZrO2/316L_500), yielding an adhesive force of 595 µN. 3T3 cell morphology, adhesion, and viability using the live/dead cell staining protocol were assessed. Cell affinity was significantly enhanced on the surface of ZrO2/316L_500, compared to the as prepared sample. Furthermore, after mice were injected with 316L and ZrO2/316L_500 needles for durations of up to 72 h, wound contraction, inflammation, and proliferation were compared. The results indicate that the ZrO2/316L_500 needle exhibits high potential as a bio-inert coating and that it can be applied to scalpels and indwelling needles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study which investigated the therapeutic role of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. The study included adult male Fisher rates that were given adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. The results showed that systemic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell administration preserves hepatocyte integrity and suppresses inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and apoptosis.

The article presents a study of whether combined treatment with extracorporeal shock wave and bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells causes enhanced protection against critical limb ischemia in rats. The results suggest that combined treatment with bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells and extracoporeal shock wave is superior to either bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells or extracorporeal shock wave alone in improving ischemia in rats.

Background: Nonylphenol (NP), an environmental organic compound, has been demonstrated to enhance reactive-oxygen species (ROS) synthesis. Chronic exposure to low-dose adenine (AD) has been reported to induce chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic exposure to NP will aggravate AD-induced CKD through increasing generations of inflammation, ROS, and apoptosis that could be attenuated by rosuvastatin. Fifty male Wistar rats were equally divided into group 1 (control), group 2 (AD in fodder at a concentration of 0.25%), group 3 (NP: 2 mg/kg/day), group 4 (combined AD & NP), and group 5 (AD-NP + rosuvastatin: 20 mg/kg/day). Treatment was continued for 24 weeks for all animals before being sacrificed. Results: By the end of 24 weeks, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were increased in group 4 than in groups 1-3, but significantly reduced in group 5 as compared with group 4 (all p<0.05). Histopathology scorings of renal-parenchymal and tubular damages were significantly higher in group 4 than in groups 1-3, but remarkably lower in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p<0.01). Both gene and protein levels of inflammation, oxidative stress, ROS, and cellular apoptosis were remarkably higher in group 4 compared with groups 1-3, but lowered in group 5 than in group 4 (all p<0.001). Conversely, both gene and protein levels of anti-oxidants, anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis were markedly increased in group 5 compared with group 4 (all p<0.001). Conclusion: NP worsened AD-induced CKD that could be reversed by rosuvastatin therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimal treatment for patients with diffuse obstructive arterial disease unsuitable for catheter-based or surgical intervention is still pending. This study tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) therapy may be a therapeutic alternative under such clinical situation. Myocardial ischemia was induced in male mini-pigs through applying an ameroid constrictor over mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD). Twelve mini-pigs were equally randomized into group 1 (Constrictor over LAD only) and group 2 (Constrictor over LAD plus ECSW [800 impulses at 0.09 mJ/mm2] once 3 months after the procedure). Results showed that the parameters measured by echocardiography did not differ between two groups on days 0 and 90. However, echocardiography and left ventricular (LV) angiography showed higher LV ejection fraction and lower LV end-systolic dimension and volume in group 2 on day 180 (p<0.035). Besides, mRNA and protein expressions of CXCR4 and SDF-1α were increased in group 2 (p<0.04). Immunofluorescence staining also showed higher number of vWF-, CD31-, SDF-1α-, and CXCR4-positive cells in group 2 (all p<0.04). Moreover, immunohistochemical staining showed notably higher vessel density but lower mean fibrosis area, number of CD40-positive cells and apoptotic nuclei in group 2 (all p<0.045). Mitochondrial protein expression of oxidative stress was lower, whereas cytochrome-C was higher in group 2 (all p<0.03). Furthermore, mRNA expressions of MMP-9, Bax and caspase-3 were lower, whereas Bcl-2, eNOS, VEGF and PGC-1α were higher in group 2 (all p<0.01). In conclusion, ECSW therapy effectively reversed ischemia-elicited LV dysfunction and remodeling through enhancing angiogenesis and attenuating inflammation and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reactive oxygen species are important mediators exerting toxic effects on various organs during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. We hypothesized that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) protect the kidney against oxidative stress and inflammatory stimuli in rat during renal IR injury.Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 24) were equally randomized into group 1 (sham control), group 2 (IR plus culture medium only), and group 3 (IR plus immediate intra-renal administration of 1.0 × 106 autologous ADMSCs, followed by intravenous ADMSCs at 6 h and 24 h after IR). The duration of ischemia was 1 h, followed by 72 hours of reperfusion before the animals were sacrificed.Results: Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and the degree of histological abnormalities were markedly lower in group 3 than in group 2 (all p < 0.03). The mRNA expressions of inflammatory, oxidative stress, and apoptotic biomarkers were lower, whereas the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic biomarkers were higher in group 3 than in group 2 (all p < 0.03). Immunofluorescent staining showed a higher number of CD31+, von Willebrand Factor+, and heme oxygenase (HO)-1+ cells in group 3 than in group 2 (all p < 0.05). Western blot showed notably higher NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 and HO-1 activities, two indicators of anti-oxidative capacity, in group 3 than those in group 2 (all p < 0.04). Immunohistochemical staining showed higher glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities in group 3 than in group 2 (all p < 0.02)Conclusion: ADMSC therapy minimized kidney damage after IR injury through suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]