Jianjun Hong

Piperine inhibits LPS induced expression of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of piperine on the inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells and the signal transduction pathways involved. RAW264.7 cells were pretreated with piperine at 10, 50 or 100 μg/ml and subsequently stimulated with LPS (1 μg/ml) for 24 h. We found that piperine inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO) induced by LPS. Piperine significantly decreased LPS-stimulated gene expression and production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. Piperine inhibited the LPS-mediated activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) by suppressing the degradation of inhibitor-κB proteins (IκB) and the translocations of p65 subunit of NF-kB from the cytosol to the nucleus. Our results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activity of piperine in RAW264.7 cells; suggesting that piperine may be a potential agent in the treatment of inflammation.

Silibinin promotes osteoblast differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells via bone morphogenetic protein signaling

Silibinin is the major active constituent of the natural compound silymarin; several studies suggest that silibinin possesses antihepatotoxic properties and anticancer effects against carcinoma cells. However, no study has yet investigated the effect of silibinin on osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of silibinin on osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. In this study, the hBMSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium with 0, 1, 10 or 20 μmol/l silibinin respectively. hBMSCs viability was analyzed by cell number quantification assay and cells osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatas (ALP) activity assay, Von Kossa staining and real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We found that silibinin promoted ALP activity in hBMSCs without affecting their proliferation. The mineralization of hBMSCs was enhanced by treatment with silibinin. Silibinin also increased the mRNA expressions of Collagen type I (COL-I), ALP, Osteocalcin (OCN), Osterix, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2). The BMP antagonist noggin and its receptor kinase inhibitors dorsomorphin and LDN-193189 attenuated silibinin-promoted ALP activity. Furthermore, BMP-responsive and Runx2-responsive reporters were activated by silibinin treatment. These results indicate that silibinin enhances osteoblast differentiation probably by inducing the expressions of BMPs and activating BMP and RUNX2 pathways. Thus, silibinin may play an important therapeutic role in osteoporosis patients by improving osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Hypoxia enhances tenocyte differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells by inducing hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in a co-culture system.

Tissue engineering is a promising approach for repair of tendon injuries. Adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have gained increasing research interest for their potential in improving healing and regeneration of injured tendons. The present study aimed to investigate effects of O2 tension and potential signalling pathways on AMDSC differentiation into tenocytes, in an indirect co‐culture system.

Comparison of the Tight Rope Technique and Clavicular Hook Plate for the Treatment of Rockwood Type III Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation

ABSTRACT Aim: Acromioclavicular joint dislocation is one of the most common shoulder problems and may lead to instability or degenerative changes. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of the Tight Rope system and clavicular hook plate for Rockwood type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation in adults. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized study in a hospital setting. From January 2012 to December 2014, 69 patients with type III injury were reviewed. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A was treated using the TightRope system and Group B with the clavicular hook plate. All participants were followed up for 12 months. Clinical outcomes, radiological results and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The length of incision was significantly shorter in Goup A than that in Group B. The blood loss of surgery was significantly less in the Group A. Significant difference could be found between the two groups regarding the Visual Analogue Scale scores one day after surgery, at the 3 and 12 months follow-up. There were no differences according to the improvement of the Constant–Murley score and the coracoclavicular distance between the groups. Conclusions: The two groups have similar clinical and radiological outcomes. Both treatments could relieve the pain of dislocation, improve the function of Acromioclavicular joint and rectify the coracoclavicular distance measured in plain films. However, the TightRope system exhibited some advantages in terms of length of incision, blood loss of surgery, the pain postoperatively and no need for a second surgery.

Effect of Hypoxia on Self-Renewal Capacity and Differentiation in Human Tendon-Derived Stem Cells

Background Hypoxic conditions play roles in functioning of human tendon-derived stem cells (hTSCs). The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of various hypoxic conditions in self-renewal capacity and differentiation of TSCs. Material/Methods hTSCs was obtain from supraspinatus tendon donors. Colony formation and cell proliferation assay were used to assess the self-renewal of hTSCs. qRT-PCT and Western blot analysis were used to examine stemness and multi-differentiation potential of hTSCs. Results We found that culturing at 5% O2 is more beneficial for the self-renewal of hTSCs than the other 3 culture conditions, with larger colony size and numbers. The proliferation of hTSCs in 5%, 10%, and 20% O2 cultures increased after seeding. The number of cells in the 5% O2 condition was higher than that in other culture; however, self-renewal capacity of hTSCs in 0.5% O2 was inhibited. The expression levels of stem cell markers, including NS, Nanog, Oct-4, and SSEA-4, were highest in 0.5% O2 culture. Furthermore, hTSCs cultured in 20% O2 exhibited significantly higher expression of the 3 markers (PPAR-γ, Sox-9, and Runx-2). Conclusions Hypoxic condition of culture encouraged self-renewal capacity of hTSCs, but inhibited their multi-differentiation potential, compared to normoxic condition of culture. Moreover, excessively low oxygen concentration impaired the capacity of hTSCs.

Closed Reduction and Percutaneous Fixation of Calcaneal Fractures in Children.

Open reduction and internal fixation has been widely used to treat displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures in children. However, the complications of surgical trauma and the wound created through the extended lateral approach cannot be ignored. This study analyzed the outcomes of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in children treated with closed reduction and percutaneous fixation. Medical records of pediatric patients who had displaced intra-articular calcaneus fractures and underwent closed reduction and percutaneous fixation at the study institution between January 2008 and January 2013 were reviewed. Preoperative radiographs and computed tomography scans were used to evaluate and classify the fractures. Clinical outcomes and radiographic findings were assessed at postoperative follow-up. The study included 14 displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in 11 patients (7 boys and 4 girls). Mean patient age was 11.18 years (range, 6-16 years), and average follow-up time was 42.8 months postoperatively (range, 12-72 months). There were 6 tongue-type fractures and 8 joint depression-type fractures, based on the Essex-Lopresti classification, and there were 11 type II and 3 type III fractures, based on the Sanders classification. Average Böhler angle was 8.00° (range, -5° to 18°) preoperatively and 30.79° (range, 26° to 40°) postoperatively (P<.001). Average subjective American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot score was 65.7 (range, 52-68). No patients had wound breakdown or infection. In the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures in pediatric patients, closed reduction and percutaneous fixation achieved good outcomes, with few complications. [Orthopedics. 2016; 39(4):e744-e748.].

Percutaneous fixation of traumatic pubic symphysis diastasis using a TightRope and external fixator versus using a cannulated screw

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to introduce a new percutaneous technique for the treatment of traumatic pubic symphysis diastasis using a TightRope and external fixator. A comparison between this technique and percutaneous fixation using a cannulated screw was performed.MethodsFrom January 2009 to December 2013, 26 patients with type II traumatic pubic symphysis diastasis were treated at two level 1 regional trauma centers. Among them, 10 patients were treated with a percutaneous TightRope and external fixator and 16 patients were treated with percutaneous cannulated screw fixation. Functional outcomes were evaluated using the Majeed scoring system. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the modified visual analog scale. Radiological results were assessed based on the width of pubic symphysis preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the final follow-up. Postoperative complications were also recorded.ResultsThere were no significant differences between the groups in Majeed scores and patient satisfaction (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the width of pubic symphysis preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at the final follow-up (p > 0.05). No significant differences were found regarding infection, fixation failure, or the need for revision surgery (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThe new percutaneous technique using a TightRope and external fixator is a successful alternative for the treatment of type II traumatic pubic symphysis diastasis, which results in similar outcomes comparing to percutaneous cannulated screw fixation.

The improved oval forceps suture-guiding method for minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair

OBJECTIVE To discuss the effect and advantage of the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method combined with anchor nail in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture. METHODS A retrospective research was performed on 35 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method from January 2013 to October 2016. Instead of the Achillon device, we perform the Achillon technique with the use of simple oval forceps, combined with absorbable anchor nail, percutaneously to repair the acute Achilles tendon rupture. RESULTS All patients were followed up for at least 12 months (range, 12-19 months), and all the patients underwent successful repair of their acute Achilles tendon rupture using the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method without any major intra- or postoperative complications. All the patients returned to work with pre-injury levels of activity at a mean of 12.51 ± 0.76 weeks. Mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores improved from 63.95 (range, 51-78) preoperatively to 98.59 (range, 91-100) at last follow-up. This was statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Mean Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) at final follow-up was 94.87 (range, 90-100). CONCLUSION The improved oval forceps suture-guiding method could make the advantage of minimally invasive repair with less complications, reduced surgical time and similar functional outcomes compared with the traditional open surgery. In addition, our new technique could save the cost of surgery with the compare of the Achillon device. At the same time for the cases which the remote broken tendon ends were within 2 cm from the calcaneal nodules, because of the less tendon tissue was left in the remote side, traditional percutaneous methods are incapable to ensure the reconstruction strength. By using the anchor nail, the improved technique has better repair capacity and expands the operation indication of oval forceps method.

Knockdown of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 suppresses the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem cell via downregulating miR-138 target genes PPARγ and RUNX2

ABSTRACT The study aimed to investigate the mechanism and biological roles of long noncoding RNA KCNQ1OT1 in adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem cell. In this study, tendon injury mice model was established to detect the expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, miR-138, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and runt-related gene 2 (RUNX2) using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Mechanical testing was carried out to assess tendon function. Adiponectin and Osterix were used to evaluate the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem cells (TSCs). The interaction between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-138 was detected by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay and RNA pull-down assay. We found that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, PPARγ and RUNX2 expression were significantly upregulated, while miR-138 was suppressed in tendon tissue of injured group and the separated TSCs. lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 knockdown inhibited the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of TSCs. Further studies indicated that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sponging miR-138 in TSCs. Further investigations confirmed that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 knockdown exerted anti-adipogenic and anti-osteogenic function via miR-138/PPARγ and miR-138/RUNX2 axis. Therefore, the lncRNA KCNQ1OT1/miR-138/PPARγ or RUNX2 axis modulated adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of tendon stem cell, which might be a promising therapeutic target for tendon injuries.

Comparison of three fixation methods in treatment of tibial fracture in adolescents

Tibial fractures are the most common musculoskeletal injury in adolescents. The optimal management of tibial fractures in adolescents is controversial. In this study, we compared the outcomes including complications of three fixation methods in tibial fractures of adolescents and explored the factors associated with the complications.