17β-Oestradiol Attenuates the Photoreceptor Apoptosis in Mice with Retinitis Pigmentosa by Regulating N-myc Downstream Regulated Gene 2 Expression.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of retinal degenerative diseases in which the final pathological feature is photoreceptor cell apoptosis. Currently, the pathogenesis of RP remains poorly understood and therapeutics are ineffective. 17β-Oestradiol (βE2) is universally acknowledged as a neuroprotective factor in neurodegenerative diseases and has manifested neuroprotective effects in a light-induced retinal degeneration model.

Photoreceptor protection by mesenchymal stem cell transplantation identifies exosomal MiR-21 as a therapeutic for retinal degeneration.

Photoreceptor apoptosis is recognized as one key pathogenesis of retinal degeneration, the counteraction of which represents a promising approach to safeguard visual function. Recently, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation (MSCT) has demonstrated immense potential to treat ocular disorders, in which extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, have emerged as effective ophthalmological therapeutics. However, whether and how MSCT protects photoreceptors against apoptotic injuries remains largely unknown.

Hydroxychloroquine Blocks Autophagy and Promotes Apoptosis of the Prostate after Castration in Rats.

Unlabelled: Autophagy is an important pro-survival mechanism and closely related to apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) blocks autophagy and promotes apoptosis of the prostate after castration.

Methods: Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 12): control group (sham operation), castration group, and HCQ group (castrated and treated with HCQ).

Bone progeria diminished the therapeutic effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on retinal degeneration.

Senescence is closely related to the occurrence of retinal degeneration. Recent studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have significant therapeutic effects on retinal degeneration, While BMMSCs suffer from functional decline in bone aging. Whether senescence affects BMMSCs therapy on retinal degeneration remains unknown.

Decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in the maternal umbilical serum, trophoblasts and decidua leads to preeclampsia.

The aim of the present study was to explore the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in the maternal umbilical serum, placenta and decidua of patients with preeclampsia compared with those in normotensive pregnant females. A total of 73 pregnant females were recruited as the test subjects, including 43 inpatients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and 30 normal pregnant females as the control. The 43 inpatients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy included 18 patients with gestational hypertension, nine with mild preeclampsia and 16 with severe preeclampsia.