Protective Effect of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on TNF-α-induced Mitochondrial Injury in Chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease characterized by matrix degradation and cell death leading to a gradual loss of articular cartilage integrity. As a bacterial synthesis of quinine, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) is a strong redox cofactor with a variety of biological benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammation-induced mitochondrial metabolism regulation. This study was designed to investigate the effect of PQQ on TNF-α-induced mitochondrial damage in chondrocytes.

Patellofemoral MRI Alterations Following Single Bundle ACL Reconstruction with Hamstring Autografts Are Associated with Quadriceps Femoris Atrophy.

High incidence of patellofemoral pain and patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis was found following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The unstability of patellofemoral joint might be an important contribution factor. This study was designed to define the relationship between the unstability of patellofemoral joint and quadriceps femoris atrophy.

MRI observations of patellar tendon length change after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts.

The post-operative patellar tendon length was studied to evaluate the possible tendon length change after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring autografts. The Insall-Salvati index, modified Insall-Salvati index, curved modified Insall-Salvati index and Caton-Deschamps index were observed by MRI during a follow-up period of 12 weeks on 20 ACL reconstructed knees. The results showed no patellar baja or alta pre-existed on those ACL injured patients.

IGFBP-3 may trigger osteoarthritis by inducing apoptosis of chondrocytes through Nur77 translocation.

Osteoarthritis is not an uncommon disease worldwide and it is characterized by chondrocytes apoptosis in articular cartilages. Previous researches had discovered that insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) was abundant inside the osteoarthritic cartilages and the more IGFBP-3, the worse of osteoarthritis. However, there is still little knowledge of the association between the onset of osteoarthritis and the yield of IGFBP-3 in cartilages.

Effect of carboxymethylated chitosan on the biosynthesis of NGF and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in the proliferation of Schwann cells.

The proliferation of Schwann cells around injured peripheral nerves supports the process of Wallerian degeneration and is critical for axonal regeneration. In this publication, carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCS) was studied to determine its capacity (i) to induce proliferation and secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) and (ii) to activate Wingless-type(Wnt) protein/β-catenin signaling pathways in rat Schwann cells. CMCS was found to induce Schwann cell proliferation and NGF synthesis in Schwann cell in a dose and time dependent manner.

[Effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone on proliferation and expression of c-fos, c-jun, CREB and PCNA in cultured Schwann cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of pyrroloquinoline quinine (PQQ) on proliferation and expression of c-fos, c-jun, CREB and PCNA in cultured Schwann cells.

Methods: Schwann cells were cultured and purified in vitro. The purity of Schwann cells was identified by immunofluorescence of S-100.

Carboxymethylated chitosan stimulates proliferation of Schwann cells in vitro via the activation of the ERK and Akt signaling pathways.

Proliferation of Schwann cell in the injured peripheral nerve supports axonal regeneration and also is critical for the regeneration of injured nerves. In this publication, carboxymethylated chitosan (CMCS) was studied to determine its capacity (i) to induce proliferation and synthesis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and (ii) to activate mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK) and phosphatidylinositil-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways in rat Schwann cells. CMCS was found to induce proliferation and PCNA synthesis in Schwann cells in a dose and time dependent manner.

[The extracellular signal-regulated kinase was promoted by pyrroloquinoline quinine in cultured Schwann cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) kinase cascade, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signal pathway on Schwann cells proliferation promoted by Pyrroloquinoline Quinine (PQQ) and its molecular mechanisms.

Methods: Schwann cells were cultured and purified in vitro. The purity was identified by S-100.

[The roles of PI3K/Akt pathway in proliferation of Schwann cells promoted by pyrroloquinoline quinone].

Objective: To investigate the roles of PI3K/Akt signal pathway in Schwann cells proliferation promoted by pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ).

Methods: Schwann cells were cultured and purified in vitro. The purity was identified by immunofluorescence of S-100; the expression of Akt and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) were detected by western blot, and the expression of p-Akt after blocking the PI3K signal transduction pathway by PI3K inhibitor wortmannin was detected by western blot.

A neglected posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder with ipsilateral distal humeral shaft fracture.

Background: Cases of posterior dislocation or fracture-dislocation of the shoulder are rare. A combination of posterior dislocation and ipsilateral humeral shaft fracture, especially a distal third one, is even rarer. In such injuries, the diagnosis of shoulder dislocation may be missed because great attention is usually given to the fractured humerus.

Pyrroloquinoline quinone enhances regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) on nerve regeneration of transected sciatic nerve in animal models.

Methods: Forty SD rats weighing 220-240 g were randomized into a PQQ group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Each animal underwent sciatic nerve transection operation.