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.
ObjectiveTo investigate the distribution of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) gene polymorphisms in esophageal carcinoma (EC) patients, and their relationship with adverse effects (delayed diarrhea and neutropenia) of Irinotecan. MethodsForty-eight patients with esophageal squamous carcinoma who were admitted to Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between January and October 2012 were recruited in the study. There were 37 male and 11 female patients with their age of 56 (25-38) years. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples were collected from those EC patients and genomic DNA was extracted. UGT1A1 polymorphisms were detected by PCR and DNA sequencing. Three genetic loci were investigated including UGT1A1* 28 (TA6 > TA7), UGT1A1* 6 (211G > A) and UGT1A1* 93 (-3156G > A). Adverse effects (delayed diarrhea and neutropenia) of patients with different UGT1A1 polymorphisms after Irinotecan treatment were recorded. The relationship between UGT1A1 polymorphisms and Irinotecan-induced adverse effects was analyzed. ResultsUGT1A1 polymorphisms were detected in 10 out of 48 (20.8%) EC patients. UGT1A1* 93 (-3156G > A)polymorphisms were most common with the polymorphism rate of 16.7% (8/48), followed by GT1A1* 6 (211G > A) polymorphisms with the polymorphism rate of 4.2% (2/48). The incidences of grade 3~4 diarrhea and grade 3~4 neutropenia after Irinotecan treatment in the patients with UGT1A1 polymorphisms were 60.0% and 40.0% respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the patients with wild type UGT1A1 (21.1% and 15.8% respectively, P < 0.05). UGT1A1 polymorphism rates were 45.5% (5/11) in female patients and 13.5% (5/37) in male patients, which were significantly different (P < 0.05). ConclusionsIn EC patients, 2 polymorphism loci including UGT1A1* 93 (-3156G > A) and GT1A1* 6 (211G > A) can effectively predict adverse effects caused by Irinotecan treatment. UGT1A1 polymorphism rate of male patients is significantly lower than that of female patients.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of gastric bypass surgery (GBP) on fasting bloo-glucose (FBG) in type 2 diabetic rats. MethodsThe models of type 2 diabetic rats were induced by stretozotocin and 20 diabetic rats were randomly divided into two groups: diabetes-operation group (DO group, n=10) and diabetes-control group (DC group, n=10). Another twenty normal rats were randomly divided into two groups: normaloperation group (NO group, n=10) and normal-control group (NC group, n=10). The rats underwent GBP in DO group and NO group and sham operation in DC group and NC group. The FBG levels, serum dipeptidyl peptidase Ⅳ (DPPⅣ), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations of rats in each group were detected before operation and at 72 h, on 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after operation. ResultsThe FBG levels of rats before operation were not significantly different between DO group and DC group or between NO group and NCgroup (Pgt;0.05). After operation, the FBG levels of rats in DO group gradually declined, reached the bottom on 4 weeks after operation and rose slightly on 8 weeks; The FBG levels of rats in DO group were lower after operation than before operation (Plt;0.05); After operation the FBG levels of rats in DO group were higher than that in NO group and NC group at the same time point (Plt;0.05); In DC group, the difference of FBG levels of rats at different time point was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05); The inter-group and intra-group difference of FPG levels of rats for NO group and NC group was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05). The concentrations of serum DPP-Ⅳ of rats before operation were not significantly different in each group (Pgt;0.05). After operation, the concentrations of serum DPP-Ⅳ of rats in DO group and NO group gradually decreased and markedly lower than that before operation, respectively (Plt;0.05). The concentrations of serum DPP-Ⅳ of rats after operation in DO group and NO group were significantly lower than that at the same time point in DC group and NC group, respectively (Plt;0.05); The intragroup difference of serum DPP-Ⅳ concentrations of rats for DC group and NC group was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05). The concentrations of serum GLP-1 of rats before operation were not significantly different between DO group and DC group or between NO group and NC group (Pgt;0.05). After operation, the concentrations of serum GLP-1 of rats in DO group and NO group gradually increased, reached the top on 4 weeks after operation and declined slightly on 8 weeks; The concentrations of serum GLP-1 of rats in DO group and NO group were higher after operation than before operation (Plt;0.05);After operation, the concentrations of serum GLP-1 of rats in NO group were higher than that in NC group (Plt;0.05), but the concentrations of serum GLP-1 of rats at different time point in NO group were not different (Pgt;0.05). The intragroup difference of serum GLP-1 concentrations of rats for DC group and NC group was not statistically significant (Pgt;0.05). ConclusionsThere is obvious hypoglycemic effect of GBP on FBG levels of type 2 diabetic rats other than normal rats, in which high secretion of GLP-1 and low secretion of DPP-Ⅳ may be play an important role.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on reducing blood glucose level. MethodsThirty GK rats were randomly divided into SG group, sham operation (SO) group, pair-fed (PF) group, and blank control (BC) group. The changes of weight, fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance (oral glucose tolerance test, OGTT), insulin tolerance (insulin tolerance test, ITT), plasma insulin, ghrelin, and glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were monitored before and 24 weeks after operation respectively. ResultsFrom the 4th week after operation, weight gain in SG group and PF group began to decrease significantly compared with SO group (Plt;0.01). From the 2nd week after operation, fasting blood glucose level in SG group was lower than that in SO, PF, and BC groups (Plt;005), and the glucose tolerance in SG group obviously improved compared with preoperation and the other 3 groups (Plt;0.01). On the 6th week after operation, the insulin sensitivity in SG group obviously improved compared with SO group (Plt;0.05, Plt;0.01). There was no significant difference of insulin level between SG group and SO group (Pgt;0.05), ghrelin level significantly decreased (Plt;0.01) while GLP-1 level significantly increased (Plt;0.01) in SG group compared with SO group during 2-24 weeks after operation. ConclusionsThe effect of SG on reducing blood glucose is definite. SG can directly lower blood glucose independent with weight loss. Postoperative decreased ghrelin level and increased GLP-1 level may be its primary mechanism.
ObjectiveTo study the hydrophilicity and the cell biocompatibility of the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) coated with a fusion protein polyhydroxyalkanoates granule binding protein (PhaP) fused with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide (PhaP-RGD). MethodsPHBV and PHBHHx films were fabricated by solvent evaporation.Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) was used to study the morphology of the films.PhaP-RGD fusion proteins were expressed and purified by the technology of protein engineering; PHBV and PHBHHx films were immersed in the PhaP-RGD with an amount of 3.5 mg/mL protein/per sample respectively.The hydrophilicity of the surface were detected by the contact angle measurements.Septal cartilage cells obtained from human septal cartilage were cultured in vitro.The 2nd passage chondrocytes were incubated on PHBV unmodified with PhaP-RGD in group A1,PHBV modified with PhaP-RGD in group A2,PHBHHx unmodified with PhaP-RGD in group B1,PHBHHx modified with PhaP-RGD in group B2,and on the cell culture plates in group C.After cultured for 3 days,the proliferation of cells was detected by the DAPI staining; the proliferation viability of cells was detected by the MTT assay after cultured for 3 and 7 days; after cultured for 7 days,the adhesion and morphology of the cells on the surface of the biomaterial films were observed by SEM and the matrix of the cells was detected through the toluidine blue staining. ResultsSEM observation showed that PHBV and PHBHHx films had porous structures.The contact angle of the surface of the PHBV and PHBHHx films modified with PhaP-RGD fusion proteins were significantly reduced when compared with the films unmodified with PhaP-RGD fusion proteins (P<0.05).Chondrocytes of human nasal septal cartilage incubated on the films could grow in all groups.After 3 days of cultivation in vitro,the cell proliferation and viability of group B2 were the strongest among all groups (P<0.05); the cell proliferation after cultured for 7 days was significantly stronger than that after cultured for 3 days in groups A1,A2,B1,and B2 (P<0.05); and the cell proliferation was significantly stronger in groups B1 and B2 than groups A1,A2 and C,in group B2 than group B1,and in group A1 than group A2 (P<0.05).The results of toluidine blue staining showed that blue metachromasia matrixes were observed in groups A1,A2,B1,and B2; group A1 and group A2 had similar staining degree,and the staining of group B2 was deeper than that of group B1.The adhesion of cells in all groups was good through SEM observation; and the connection of cells formed and stretched into the pores of the materials. ConclusionThe biomaterial films of PHBHHx modified with PhaP-RGD fusion protein can promote its biocompatibility with chondrocytes.
Objective To investigate the velvet antler polypeptide (VAP) on sciatic nerve regeneration in rats through local administration and VAP-PLGA compound membrane. Methods The 3, 15 mg/g of VAP-PLGA compound membranewere prepared by compounding VAP and PLGA, respectively. Seventy-two Wistar rats, male or female, aged 3-6 months and weighing (250 ± 50) g, were selected to make the model of sciatic nerve section. Then, all rats were randomized into 4 groups (n=18): group A in which nothing was given after anatomosis, group B in which 1 mL of VAP at the concentration of 10 mg/L was injected into the gastrocnemius muscle medial for every other day, group C in which 3 mg/g of VAP-PLGA compound membrane was given to the nerve anastomotic stoma and group D in which 15 mg/g of VAP-PLGA compound membrane was given to the nerve anastomotic stoma. The sciatic adhesion degree observation, electrophysiological examination, immunohistochemical staining and hemi-quantity calculation and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) retrograde tracing were conducted 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation, respectively. Results All rats survived to the end of the experiment, without foot ulcer or neuroma. Severer nervous adherence was observed in group A, mild adherence in group B, and no adherence in groups C and D 2, 4 and 6 weeks after operation, respectively. The recovery rate of the evoked potential of triceps surae in groups B, C and D was better than that in group A (P lt; 0.01), group D was superior to groups B and C (P lt; 0.05) at each time point. No significant difference between group B and group C (P gt; 0.05) 2, 4 weeks after operation was detected, but group C was superior to group B (P lt; 0.05) 6 weeksafter operation. For the regenerative fiber axon and the expression of myelin sheath TGF-β1 and IGF antigen, the staining intensity in groups B, C and D was higher than that in group A at each time point (P lt; 0.05), and there were significant differences between group D and groups B and C 6 weeks after operation (P lt; 0.05), but no difference between groups B and C (P gt; 0.05). The HRP retrograde tracing showed that the myelinated nerve fiber stained by HRP gradually increased as time passed by and myelinated nerve fiber stained by HRP in groups B, C and D was much more than that in group A, and group D was superior to the other groups. No significant difference between group B and group C was detected. Conclusion To apply VAP through either local administration or VAP-PLGA compound membrane around the attached site of nerve anastomosis is capable of promoting nerve regeneration, which has an obvious dose-effect relationship with the dose of VAP. Meanwhile, VAP-PLGA compound membrane can prevent the nerve adhesion.
Both bariatric surgery and pharmacotherapy, particularly glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), are effective interventions for obesity, yet each has its own advantages and limitations. Drawing on the “bridging” concept from cancer therapy, this commentary explores an innovative obesity management strategy that involves the combined application of GLP-1RA and bariatric surgery during the perioperative period, with the aim of optimizing treatment outcomes. The present analysis focuses specifically on the potential value of this approach: preoperatively, GLP-1RAs serve as a “bridging therapy” to promote weight loss and reduce surgical risks in severely obese patients; postoperatively, they might be used to manage weight rebound or insufficient weight loss. This multimodal integrated strategy is designed to overcome the inherent limitations of single therapies and offer patients more comprehensive treatment options. Emphasizing that future research must urgently focus on optimizing treatment parameters (e.g., timing, dosage), evaluating long-term safety and efficacy, and establishing patient selection criteria for combination therapy. Integrating surgical and pharmacological treatments, this comprehensive strategy based on the oncological “bridging” concept represents a highly promising paradigm shift in obesity management.
ObjectiveTo study the latest progress of cancer therapy by using clostridium perfringens enterotoxin (CPE). MethodsRecent advances in malignant tumor treatment based on the molecular structure and function of CPE and its receptor Claudin-3, -4 was focused. ResultsCPE is cytotoxic for ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer cells which express its receptor Claudin-3, -4, it is also effective over the xenograft mode of those cancers. But CPE is limitted in clinics because of its side effect. Modifying the molecular structure of CPE had made some progress to reduce its toxicity. ConclusionAs the ligand of claudin protein, an important component of tight junction, CPE can attack the tumor cell. It is a potentially a chemotherapeutic drug.
The specific binding of T cell receptors (TCRs) to antigenic peptides plays a key role in the regulation and mediation of the immune process and provides an essential basis for the development of tumour vaccines. In recent years, studies have mainly focused on TCR prediction of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens, but TCR prediction of MHC class II antigens has not been sufficiently investigated and there is still much room for improvement. In this study, the combination of MHC class II antigen peptide and TCR prediction was investigated using the ProtT5 grand model to explore its feature extraction capability. In addition, the model was fine-tuned to retain the underlying features of the model, and a feed-forward neural network structure was constructed for fusion to achieve the prediction model. The experimental results showed that the method proposed in this study performed better than the traditional methods, with a prediction accuracy of 0.96 and an AUC of 0.93, which verifies the effectiveness of the model proposed in this paper.
Objective To investigate the perioperative changes of serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) concentrations in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement. Methods There were 20 patients admitted to the study, the serum BNP concentrations were measured before cardiac surgery, 24 hours, 7days, 14 days, and 30 days after operation. The preoperative NYHA cardiac function and the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were measured by echocardiogram. Results The preoperative BNP level was the baseline, it elevated markedly and acutely to a peak value 24 hours after operation ( P =0.003), then the BNP decreased 7 days later, but was still higher than the concentration before operation ( P =0.015), 14 days later it reached to the concentration before operation, 30 days later it was mild lower than preoperative BNP level, but there was no significant difference. There was a positive correlation between NYHA and BNP ( r =0.69, P lt;0.05), but no correlation between LVEF and BNP( r =0.29, P gt;0 05). Conclusion The preoperative serum BNP concentration can reflect the preoperative cardiac function in patients undergoing cardiac valve replacement, the high BNP level indicates the poor cardiac function. The BNP sharply elevated in the early time after operation, then gradually decreased in the late phase postoperation.