Search

This study investigated the mechanisms through which arctigenin promotes osteogenesis. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from ovariectomized (OVX) rats were differentiated into osteoblasts, and osteogenesis was evaluated via Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) measurements in cultured BMSCs. The levels of phosphorylated AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 (p‐Akt), and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression were quantified by Western blot analysis. The levels of urine calcium (U‐Ca), urine phosphorus (U‐P), serum ALP, and bone mineral density (BMD) of OVX rats were assessed in vivo. The results showed that treatment with arctigenin in rat BMSCs enhanced mineralization, increased ALP activity, increased the expression of Akt and p‐Akt, and decreased PPARγ expression, consistent with its ability to promote osteoblast differentiation. Furthermore, arctigenin prevented OVX‐induced osteoporosis in rats by increasing BMD and ALP activity and inhibiting the loss of Ca and P. In contrast, treatment with LY294002, a selective inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), produced the opposite phenotype. These data suggest that the protective effects of arctigenin on BMSCs and OVX rat models result from the induction of osteogenesis involving the PI3K/Akt/PPARγ axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of bone repair mediated by recombination BMP-2 (rhBMP-2)/recombination CXC chemokine ligand-13 (rhCXCL13)-loaded hollow hydroxyapatite (HA) microspheres/chitosan (CS) composite. Firstly, the biological activity of rhBMP-2 and rhCXCL13 released from the complex was investigated. Secondly, the effect of rhBMP-2 sustained release solution on ALP activity and rhCXCL13 sustained release solution on cell migration of rat bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells was tested. Thirdly, osteoblasts differentiation test, X-ray scoring and three-point bending test were performed. Finally, the mRNAs expression of osteogenic marker genes and the protein expression of Runx2 was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting (WB), respectively. RhBMP-2 could significantly promote the proliferation and differentiation, and RhCXCL13 could promote the migration of rat bone marrow MSCs. Detection of ALP activity and calcium salt deposition showed that rhBMP-2 and rhCXCL13 could significantly improve the biological activity and promote cell differentiation ability. X-ray scoring of radius and flexural strength test showed that rhBMP-2 and rhCXCL13 could promote bone healing and improve the bending resistance of bone tissue. The in vitro molecular experiments including RT-PCR and WB further demonstrated the roles of rhBMP-2 and rhCXCL13 in bone formation and bone repair. Our results indicated that the hollow HA microspheres/CS composite could be effective as a delivery vehicle for rhBMP-2 and rhCXCL13 in bone regeneration and bone repair. In this process, rhBMP-2 may promote bone regeneration by regulating bone marrow MSCs cells recruited by rhCXCL13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare pre- and post-operative clinical and radiological outcomes between patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy (HTO) with medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) reconstruction using gracilis tendon graft versus those without reconstruction MMPRT., Methods: Patients with MMPRT who underwent HTO between January 2018 and December 2021 with minimum 2-year follow-up were included. All the patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether underwent meniscus root reconstruction with tendon graft, HTO alone (33 cases) and HTO with reconstruction MMPRT (21 cases). Clinical evaluation included Lysholm score, international knee documentation committee (IKDC) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. The functional recovery and radiologically outcome of the knee were evaluated preoperatively and at the latest follow-up. Meniscus root healing rates and medial meniscal extrusion (MME) according to the second MRI were compared between the two groups at the latest follow-up., Results: The results showed a statistically significant improvement in the postoperative Lysholm score, IKDC score, and VAS score in both groups at the latest follow-up (P<0.001). The analysis of Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) for postoperative outcomes revealed that the percentage of patients who reached MCID thresholds was 100% for Lysholm, 100% for IKDC, and 100% for VAS in the HTO with reconstruction MMPRT group. In comparison, the percentages were 87.9% for Lysholm, 90.9% for IKDC, and 100% for VAS in the HTO alone group. Additionally, compared with the HTO alone group, the HTO with medial meniscus posterior root reconstruction using gracilis tendon graft significantly improved the meniscus root healing rates (Complete healing 85.7% vs. 45.4%, 95%CI: 0.003-0.007, P=0.001) and functional recovery (P<0.005 ) at the final follow-up. Additionally, the HTO with reconstruction MMPRT had a significantly better change in K-L grade (improved knees K-L grade: 10/21 vs. 6/33, P=0.033) and MME (2.1±1.0mm vs. 3.1±1.6mm, 95%CI: 0.3-1.7, P=0.007) compared to the HTO alone group., Conclusions: HTO with reconstruction of the meniscal root using a tendon graft resulted in improved radiographic and patient-reported outcomes as well as improved healing rates compared to the HTO alone., (Copyright © 2024 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Recent studies have suggested that circular RNAs play an important role in the progression of various cancers. We aimed to investigate the possible role of cir-ITCH in osteosarcoma. In this study, we performed experiments with the human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 and several osteosarcoma cancer cell lines and the results showed that the expression of cir-ITCH in osteosarcoma cancer cell lines was significantly upregulated compared to that in the human osteoblast cell line. In addition, the results showed that cir-ITCH could promote the migration, invasion, and growth of osteosarcoma cells. Further mechanistic studies revealed that cir-ITCH could enhance epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression by reducing the level of miR-7. Increased EGFR phosphorylation was found to be concomitant with high expression of EGFR. We determined that cir-ITCH -mediated increase in the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells was dependent on EGFR phosphorylation. In conclusion, our research uncovered an important role of the cir-ITCH /miR-7/EGFR pathway in the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and suggested that cir-ITCH may be a prognostic marker and a promising therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.