Restoration of mesenchymal stem cell function using pharmacological agents

The extensive characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), especially their capacity to replicate and differentiate into any type of fully developed cell make these cells suitable for use in cell therapy. These cells are clinically introduced into a tissue in an autologous or allogeneic manner for the treatment of inflammatory and degenerative diseases with or without gene therapy. There are however, some drawbacks related to the clinical use of MSCs, with one major limitation being that these cells tend to decrease in 'sternness' and quantity with increasing donor age and disease while the underlying mechanisms of stem cell ageing remain vague. An increased activity of the small RhoGTPase Cdc42 is thought to play a key modulatory role in MSC ageing. Cdc42 activity is known to partake in the regulation of numerous signaling pathways and also cause depolarization of planer cell polarity markers hence has been identified as a pharmacological target for improving MSC ageing. The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory effect of small molecule on Cdc42 activity in MSCs

Assesing the cytokine content of human platelet-rich plasma

Human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is plasma that is enriched with thrombocytes at a concentration of 1000 * 109 per litre, higher than normal (150 - 350 * 109 per litre). Thrombocytes are known to contain growth factors including IGF, PDGF, EGF, FGF, TGF-li, PDEGF, VEGF or PDAF as well as thrombospondin and osteonectin. The release of these growth factors is induced by thrombocyte activation resulting from their exposure to a variety of substances such as thrombin, Calciom chloride or collagen. Growth factors are found in higher concentrations in PRP than in blood, and could be used to facilitate wound healing at a faster rate. Currently, PRP is employed in dentistry, dermatology, traumatology and orthopedics. In developed countries, PRP is also actively used in treating acute and chronic skin lesions. Though commercial devices for clinical preparation of autologous PRP are available, standardized PRP-preparation protocols are yet to be developed. Furthermore, only a handful of research work is aimed at optimizing methods of obtaining platelet-rich plasma. Therefore, two different modifications of the Araki et al method, the most standardized of all available methods, were used to prepare high cytokine-containing platelet-rich plasma

Adiponectin plasma levels in patients with age-related dementia

Adiponectin play a significant role in the regulation of type 2 diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Evidence suggests that adiponectin may be an independent risk factor for all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the level of adiponectin in plasma reflects its level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Studies demonstrated that elevated adiponectin level in blood was associated with an increased risk of dementia and AD in women and indicates that the sex dimorphism with regard to adiponectin levels association with Alzheimer's disease was clearly observe