Life sciences
-
Although angiogenesis plays an important role in coronary collateral circulation (CCC) formation and there are many determinants of coronary angiogenesis, they cannot fully explain the mechanism of CCC formation or as potent biomarker for CCC status. Therefore, there is of great clinical significance to identify the novel molecules associated with CCC. Previously, miR-503 exerts anti-angiogenesis effect via inhibition of VEGF-A and its expression is associated with many angiogenesis-related factors. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship of plasma miR-503 with CCC formation as well as its predictive power for CCC status in patients with coronary artery disease. ⋯ Lower plasma miR-503 level was related to better CCC formation, accompanied by up-regulation of VEGF-A. In addition, miR-503 displayed potent predictive power for CCC status, but its sensitivity and specificity were not high enough, indicating that miR-503 might be as an additional prognosis biomarker for CCC.
-
Renal ischemia/reperfusion (IR) can induce acute kidney injury (AKI), which often progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Dexmedetomidine (Dex), a highly selective α2 adrenergic receptor (α2-AR) agonist, protects against acute renal IR-induced injury. However, the effects of Dex on the transition of AKI to CKD remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the mechanisms of Dex on renal fibrosis. ⋯ The administration of a single dose of Dex protects against AKI and CKD. Dex inhibits tubular cell senescence and inflammation as well as improves renal fibrosis to moderate the AKI-to-CKD transition. The renal protective potential of Dex may provide a novel treatment strategy for high-risk renal injury patients.
-
Visual impairment is considered as the most common initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. It has been shown that hesperetin (Hst), a flavonoid of citrus fruit, possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects both in vitro and in vivo. The present study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological/medicinal effects of Hst treatment on myelin repair and glial activation in lysolecithin (LPC)-induced focal demyelination model. ⋯ Immunostaining results showed the reduced number of astrocytes and microglia in animal which were treated with Hst. Furthermore, the extent of demyelination area was decreased in animals treated by Hst. Taken together; our results suggest that Hst treatment significantly protects and repairs myelin sheath, therefore it might be regarded as effective supplementary agent in demyelinating disorders, particularly MS.
-
In recent years, inactivation of A2A adenosine receptors has been emerged as a novel strategy for treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases. Although numerous studies have shown the beneficial effects of A2A receptors blockade on spatial memory, the impacts of selective adenosine A2A receptors on memory performance has not yet been examined in the context of demyelination. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of A2A receptor antagonist SCH58261 on spatial memory and myelination in an experimental model of focal demyelination in rat fimbria. ⋯ Myelin staining revealed that application of SCH58261 reduces the extent of demyelination areas in the fimbria. Furthermore, the level of astrocytes and microglia activation was attenuated following administration of A2A receptor antagonist. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that A2A receptor blockade can improve the spatial memory and protect myelin sheath, which might be considered as a novel therapeutic approach for multiple sclerosis disease.
-
Observing the parameter-specific anti-hyperalgesic effects of EA with different stimulation times and frequencies on painful hyperalgesia mediated by the level of TRPV1 and P2X3 expression in DRG after CFA injection. ⋯ EA has a parameter-specific effect on chronic inflammatory pain relief, which primarily depend on the stimulation frequency and not on the stimulation time at a certain stimulation time. The parameter-specific analgesic effect of EA is at least partially related to mediation of the protein level of TRPV1 and P2X3 expression in DRG of CFA rats.