Metformin promotes angiogenesis and functional recovery in aged mice after spinal cord injury by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway.

Treatment with metformin can lead to the recovery of pleiotropic biological activities after spinal cord injury. However, its effect on spinal cord injury in aged mice remains unclear. Considering the essential role of angiogenesis during the regeneration process, we hypothesized that metformin activates the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway in endothelial cells, thereby promoting microvascular regeneration in aged mice after spinal cord injury.

The lymphatic system: a therapeutic target for central nervous system disorders.

The lymphatic vasculature forms an organized network that covers the whole body and is involved in fluid homeostasis, metabolite clearance, and immune surveillance. The recent identification of functional lymphatic vessels in the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord has provided novel insights into neurophysiology. They emerge as major pathways for fluid exchange.

Silencing of lncRNA PKIA-AS1 Attenuates Spinal Nerve Ligation-Induced Neuropathic Pain Through Epigenetic Downregulation of CDK6 Expression.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is among the most intractable comorbidities of spinal cord injury. Dysregulation of non-coding RNAs has also been implicated in the development of neuropathic pain. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA, PKIA-AS1, by using lncRNA array analysis in spinal cord tissue of spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model rats, and investigated the role of PKIA-AS1 in SNL-mediated neuropathic pain.

Sacroiliac joint tuberculosis: surgical management by posterior open-window focal debridement and joint fusion.

Background: Sacroiliac joint tuberculosis(SJT) is relatively uncommon, but it may cause severe sacroiliac joint destruction and functional disorder. Few studies in the literature have been presented on SJT, reports of surgical treatment for SJT are even fewer. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed surgical management of patients with severe SJT of 3 different types and proposed to reveal the clinical manifestations and features and aim to determine the efficiency and security of such surgical treatment.

Migration of Adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Stably Expressing Chondroitinase ABC In vitro.

Background: Several studies have revealed that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) can be used as seed cells for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) decomposes chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans in the glial scar that forms following SCI, allowing stem cells to penetrate through the scar and promote recovery of nerve function. This study aimed to establish ADSCs that stably express ChABC (ChABC-ADSCs) and evaluate the migratory capability of ChABC-ADSCs in vitro.

[Effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the enchondral bone formation in posterolateral lumbar fusion in rabbits].

Objective: To observe the effect of daily low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUs) therapy on improving the enchondral bone formation in lumbar fusion in rabbit models, and to explore its possible mechanism.

Methods: Posterolateral noninstrumented bilateral fusions were performed at the L5 approximately L6 levels in 20 New Zealand rabbits. The autograft iliac bone was implanted on the left side, and the hydroxyapatite bioceramic artificial bone on the right.