Extracorporeal shock waves down-regulate the expression of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in osteoarthritic chondrocytes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extra corporeal shock waves (ESW) therapy on the metabolism of healthy and osteoarthritic human chondrocytes, and particularly on the expression of IL-10, TNF-alpha and beta1 integrin.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Human adult articular cartilage was obtained from 9 patients (6 male and 3 females), with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA), undergoing total joint replacement and from 3 young healthy donors (HD) (2 males, 1 female) with joint traumatic fracture. After isolation, chondrocytes underwent ESW treatment (electromagnetic generator system, MINILITH SL1, STORZ MEDICAL) at different parameters of impulses, energy levels and energy flux density. After that, chondrocytes were cultured in 24-well plate in DMEM supplemented with 10% FCS for 48 hours and then beta₁integrin surface expression and intracellular IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels were evaluated by flow-cytometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, osteoarthritic chondrocytes expressed significantly lower levels of beta1 integrin and higher levels and IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels. Following ESW application, while beta1 integrin expression remain unchanged, a significant decrease of IL-10 and TNF-alpha intracellular levels was observed both in osteoarthritic and healthy chondrocytes. IL-10 levels decreased at any impulses and energy levels, while a significant reduction of TNF-alpha was mainly found at middle energies.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study confirmed that osteoarthritic chondrocytes express low beta₁integrin and high TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels. Nonetheless, ESW treatment application down-regulate the intracellular levels of TNF-alpha and IL-10 by chondrocytes, suggesting that ESW might restore TNF-alpha and IL-10 production by osteoarthritic chondrocytes at normal levels. However, further in vivo and in vitro studies are necessary to establish if ESW can represent a viable option in the treatment of OA.</p

The effects of a muscle resistance program on the functional capacity, knee extensor muscle strength and plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in pre-frail elderly women: a randomized crossover clinical trial - a study protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>With the increase in the elderly population, a growing number of chronic degenerative diseases and a greater dependency on caregivers have been observed. Elderly persons in states of frailty remain more susceptible to significant health complications. There is evidence of an inverse relationship between plasma levels of inflammatory mediators and levels of functionality and muscle strength, suggesting that muscle-strengthening measures can aid in inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this study will be verified the effect of a muscle-strengthening program with load during a ten-week period in pre-frail elderly women with attention to the following outcomes: (1) plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), (2) functional capacity and (3) knee extensor muscle strength.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>The study design is a randomized crossover clinical trial evaluating 26 elderly women (regardless of their race and/or social condition) who are community residents, older than 65, and classified as pre-frail according to the criteria previously described by Fried et al. (2004). All subjects will be assessed using the Timed up and go and 10-Meter Walk Test functional tests. The plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α will be assessed by ELISA (<it>enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay</it>) with high sensitivity kits (Quantikine^®HS, R&D Systems Minneapolis, MN, U.S.). Knee extensor muscle strength will be assessed using the <it>Byodex System 3 Pro</it>^{<it>® </it>}isokinetic dynamometer at angular speeds of 60 and 180°/s. The intervention will consist of strengthening exercises of the lower extremities at 50 to 70% of 1RM (maximal resistance) three times per week for ten weeks. The volunteers will be randomized into two groups: group E, the intervention group, and group C, the control group that did not initiate any new activities during the initial study period (ten weeks). After the initial period, group C will begin the intervention and group E will maintain everyday activities without exercising. At the end of the total study period, all volunteers will be reassessed.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>To demonstrate and discuss possible influences of load-bearing exercises on the modification of plasma levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and in the functional performance of pre-frail elderly women.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ISRCTN62824599</p

Anti-proliferative effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from multiple sources on ovarian cancer cell lines: an in-vitro experimental study

Abstract Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have surfaced as ideal candidates for treatment of different therapeutically challenging diseases however their effect on cancer cells is not well determined. In this study, we investigated the effect of MSCs derived from human bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AT), and umbilical cord derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) on ovarian cancer. Measurements of ovarian tumor marker proteins were computed by ELISA. Proliferative, apoptosis and anti-inflammatory effects of the MSCs were measured by Flow cytometry (FCM). MMPs expression was measured by RT-PCR. The co-culture of cancer cell lines OVCAR3, CAOV3, IGROV3 and SKOV3 with the conditioned media of MSCs (CM-MSC) and MSCs showed an increase in cellular apoptosis, along with a reduction in the level of CA-125 and a decline of LDH and beta-hCG. A decrease in CD24 of the cancer cell lines in co-culture with the CM-MSCs showed a reduction of the cancer tumorigenicity. In addition, the invasion and aggressiveness of cancer cell lines was significantly decreased by CM-MSC; this was translated by a decrease in MMP-2, MMP-9, and CA-125 mRNA expression, and an increase in TIMP 1, 2, and 3 mRNA expression. An increase in IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines, and a decrease in GM-CSF, IL-6, and IL-9, were also noted. In conclusion, mesenchymal stem cells derived from different sources and their conditioned media appear to have a major role in inhibition of cancer aggressiveness and might be considered as a potential therapeutic tool in ovarian cancer

Enhancement of photovoltaic efficiency by insertion of a polyoxometalate layer at the anode of an organic solar cell

International audienceIn this article the Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate K6[P2W18O62] is grown as an interfacial layer between indium tin oxide and bulk heterojunction of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The structure of the POM layers depends on the thickness and shows a highly anisotropic surface organization. The films have been characterized by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to gain insight into their macroscopic organization and better understand their electronic properties. Then, they were put at the anodic interface of a P3HT : PCBM organic solar cell and characterized on an optical bench. The photovoltaic efficiency is discussed in terms of the benefit of the polyoxometalate at the anodic interface of an organic photovoltaic cell

Renal Xenobiotic Transporter Expression is Altered in Multiple Experimental Models of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic liver disease, which can progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Previous investigations demonstrated alterations in the expression and activity of hepatic drug transporters in NASH. Moreover, studies using rodent models of cholestasis suggest that compensatory changes in kidney transporter expression occur to facilitate renal excretion during states of hepatic stress; however, little information is currently known regarding extrahepatic regulation of drug transporters in NASH. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the possibility of renal drug transporter regulation in NASH across multiple experimental rodent models. Both rat and mouse NASH models were used in this investigation and include: the methionine and choline-deficient (MCD) diet, atherogenic diet, fa/fa rat, ob/ob and db/db mice. Histologic and pathologic evaluations confirmed that the MCD and atherogenic rats as well as the ob/ob and db/db mice all developed NASH. In contrast, the fa/fa rats did not develop NASH but did develop extensive renal injury compared with the other models. Renal mRNA and protein analyses of xenobiotic transporters suggest that compensatory changes occur in NASH to favor increased xenobiotic secretion. Specifically, both apical efflux and basolateral uptake transporters are induced, whereas apical uptake transporter expression is repressed. These results suggest that NASH may alter the expression and potentially function of renal drug transporters, thereby impacting drug elimination mechanisms in the kidney