Publications by authors named "An-min Chen"

Background: The incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common degenerative disease with inflammation, decreased autophagy, and progression of fibrosis as its possible pathogenesis. Physalin A (PA) is a widely studied anti-inflammatory drug. However, its therapeutic effects on IVDD remain unexplored.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a trauma-/age-related degenerative disease characterized by chronic inflammation as one of its pathogenic mechanisms. Mulberroside A (MA), a natural bioactive withanolide, demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in various diseases; however, little is known about the effect of MA on OA. We aim to examine the role of MA on OA and to identify the potential mechanisms through which it protects articular cartilage.

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Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common aging-related degenerative joint disease with chronic inflammation as its possible pathogenesis. Oroxin B (OB), a flavonoid isolated from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses anti-inflammation properties which may be involved in regulating the pathogenesis of OA, but its mechanism has not been elucidated. Our study was the first to explore the potential chondroprotective effect and elucidate the underlying mechanism of OB in OA.

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Osteoarthritis is a chronic age-related degenerative disease associated with varying degrees of pain and joint mobility disorders. Grb2-associated-Binding protein-2 (GAB2) is an intermediate molecule that plays a role downstream in a variety of signaling pathways, such as inflammatory signaling pathways. The role of GAB2 in the pathogenesis of OA has not been fully studied.

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Objective: The goal of this study was to develop a decellularized tendon scaffold (DTS) and repopulate it with adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) assisted by low air pressure (LP).

Methods: The porcine superficial flexor tendons were processed into the DTSs using a combination of physical, chemical, and enzymatic treatments. The effectiveness of decellularization was verified by histological analysis and DNA quantification.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common articular ailment presented with cartilage loss and destruction that is common observed in the elderly population. Physalin A (PA), a natural bioactive withanolide, exerts anti-inflammatory residences in more than a few diseases; however, little is known about its efficacy for OA treatment. Here, we explored the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of PA in mouse OA.

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In this study, we investigated the beneficial effects of high endogenous levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on skeletal muscle repair and regeneration using a mouse cardiotoxin (CTX, 20 μM/200 μL) -induced gastrocnemius muscle injury model. Transgenic mice expressing the gene, encoding n-3 fatty acid desaturase, showed higher n-3 PUFA levels and lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in gastrocnemius muscle tissues. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining of gastrocnemius sections revealed increased muscle fiber size and reduced fibrosis in mice on days 7 and 14 after CTX injections.

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Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have shown comprehensive application prospects over the years. Despite performing similar functions, exosomes from different origins present heterogeneous characteristics and components; however, the relative study remains scarce. Lacking of a valuable reference, researchers select source cells for exosome studies mainly based on accessibility and personal preference.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease and involves the loss of articular cartilage integrity, formation of articular osteophytes, remodeling of subchondral bone, and synovitis. Knockdown of receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase (RIPK) 1 leads to anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. However, the involvement of RIPK1 in the pathogenesis of OA is unclear.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of degenerative joint disease and secreted inflammatory molecules serve a pivotal role in it. Peimine has been reported to have anti‑inflammatory activity. In order to investigate the potential therapeutic role of Peimine in OA, mouse articular chondrocytes were treated with IL‑1β and different doses of Peimine in vitro.

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Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) is a specific small molecule inhibitor of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) that specifically inhibits phosphorylation of RIPK1. RIPK1 regulates inflammation and cell death by interacting with receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinases 3(RIPK3). We hypothesized that Nec-1 may have anti-inflammatory efficacy in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), as the pathophysiology of OA involves the activation of inflammation-related signaling pathways and apoptosis.

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Osteoporosis is an enormous health problem caused by the imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation. The current therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis still have some limitations. Boldine, an alkaloid isolated from , has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects .

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SKT11, an important tumor suppressor, is a member of the serine/threonine kinase family and plays a crucial role in tumor invasion and metastasis by activated adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and AMPK-related kinase proteins. However, few studies have elaborated its regulations of development and metabolism of cartilage, as well as skeleton. This study was aimed to investigate the role of Stk11-knockout in chondrocyte by bioinformatics analysis.

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FNDC4 acts as an anti-inflammatory factor on macrophages and improves mouse model of induced colitis. Considering osteoclast formation is characterized by the activation of inflammation-related pathways, we thus speculated that FNDC4 may play a pivotal role in this process. RT-qPCR analysis was performed to confirm the expression of osteoclast formation related genes in primary murine bone marrow macrophages (BMMs).

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Purpose: This meta-analysis was performed to clarify whether the two single nucleotide polymorphisms (ApaI and BsmI) in vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene conferred susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: A comprehensive literature search in five online databases (PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang) was performed to identify studies that analyzed the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of AIS. Observational studies met the predetermined inclusion criteria were selected for meta-analysis.

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The rs12722 polymorphism in COL5A1 gene has been implicated in the etiology of musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries in several association studies with limited sample size and conflicting results. The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate and synthesize the currently available data on the association between rs12722 and musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. Five electronic databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang were searched to identify relevant studies published before 15 May, 2017.

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Objective: ADAM12 polymorphisms may be associated with the risk of knee osteoarthritis (KOA), but currently available evidence remains controversial. We performed this meta-analysis to confirm whether ADAM12 polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility of KOA.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science was conducted to identify observational studies assessing the association between ADAM12 polymorphisms and susceptibility of KOA.

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. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of acute gouty arthritis. .

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Background. Ulinastatin, identified as a urinary trypsin inhibitor, has been widely used in patients with inflammatory disorders. However, little is known about its effect on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD).

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Purpose. This study aims to determine the clinical efficacy of acupuncture therapy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Methods.

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Background: We conducted a meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of acupuncture compared to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Methods: Four databases including Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and ISI Web of Science were searched in December 2014, taking also the reference section into account. Randomized controlled trials that aimed to assess the efficacy of acupuncture therapy were identified.

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It has been indicated that the C‑X‑C chemokine receptor type 4/C‑X‑C chemokine ligand 12 (CXCR4/CXCL12) axis is involved in promoting invasion and metastasis in tumors. Therefore, novel drugs capable of downregulating the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis may demonstrate potential for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Rosiglitazone (RSG), a thiazolidinedione ligand of the peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor (PPAR) γ, has been found to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, suppress angiogenesis and inhibit metastasis.

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Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) describes functional vascular channels composed only of tumor cells and its presence predicts a poor prognosis for patients with prostate cancer. The present study demonstrated that prostate cancer PC-3 cells were able to form a patterned matrix or tubular VM in 3D cultures in vitro and rosiglitazone (RSG), the ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and effectively inhibited the formation of VM structures in a dose- and PPARγ‑dependent manner. In addition, RSG significantly inhibited prostate cancer cell migration and invasion.

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The effect and safety of anterior debridement and fusion with a minimally invasive approach combined with posterior fixation via the Wiltse approach were assessed in the single-level lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis. Seventeen patients from 2007 to 2009 underwent anterior debridement and fusion with a minimally invasive approach combined with posterior fixation via the Wiltse approach. Postoperative follow-up time was 24-41 months.

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