Probiotic-facilitated cytokine-induced killer cells suppress peritoneal carcinomatosis and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer cells.

This study tested the hypothesis that combined therapy with probiotics and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells was superior to merely one on suppressing the peritoneal carcinomatosis and liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in nude mice. The study revealed that in HCT 116/SW620 CRC cell lines, cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, migratory ability, wound healing, and protein expression of PD-L1 and FAK were significantly and comparably suppressed and that apoptosis was significantly and comparably increased by probiotics and CIK cells, and these effects were further significantly enhanced by combined probiotics + CIK cell therapy (all p<0.001).

Shock wave-pretreated ADMSCs of cell-sheet scaffold (CSS) patched on left ventricular wall (LVW) inhibited LVW remodeling in mini-pig MI ---role CSS on counteracting Laplace's Law of LVW stress: Experimental study.

Background: We investigated whether shock wave (SW)-pretreated autologous adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) seeded in the cell-sheet scaffold (CSS) could inhibit left ventricular (LV) remodeling and improve LV ejection fraction (LVEF) in old myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: Mini-pigs (n=20) were divided into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 (old MI), group 3 (old MI + autologous ADMSCs/1.0×107 in CSS on LV myocardium), and group 4 [old MI + SW (0.

Combined dapagliflozin and roxadustat effectively protected heart and kidney against cardiorenal syndrome-induced damage in rodent through activation of cell stress-Nfr2/ARE signalings and stabilizing HIF-1α.

Background: This study tested whether combined dapagliflozin (DAPA) and roxadustat (ROX) therapy was superior to a singular therapy in protecting heart and kidney functions in rats with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS).

Methods And Results: An in vitro study demonstrated that the cell survival (PI3K/Akt/mTOR)/cell stress (ERK1/2, JNK/p-38) signaling was significantly activated by combination therapy with ROX-DAPA (all p<0.001).

SGLT2 inhibitor downregulated oxidative stress via activating AMPK pathway for cardiorenal (CR) protection in CR syndrome rodent fed with high protein diet.

This study tested the hypothesis that empagliflozin (EMPA) therapy effectively protected renal and heart functions via downregulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating AMPK signaling in cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) (induced by doxorubicin-5/6 nephrectomy) rats. In vitro result showed that underwent p-Cresol treatment, the H9C2/NRK-52E cell viabilities, were significantly suppressed, whereas cellular levels of ROS and early/late apoptosis of these cells were significantly increased that were significantly reversed by EMPA treatment (all p < 0.001).

Combined Phloretin and Human Platelet-rich Plasma Effectively Preserved Integrities of Brain Structure and Neurological Function in Rat after Traumatic Brain Damage.

Background: This study investigates whether phloretin, a brain-edema inhibitor, can enhance the therapeutic effects of human-derived platelet-rich plasma (hPRP) in reducing brain hemorrhagic volume (BHV) and preserving neurological function in rodents following acute traumatic brain damage (TBD)

Methods: Forty rats were divided into five groups: sham-control, TBD, TBD + phloretin (80 mg/kg/dose intraperitoneally at 30 minutes and on days 2/3 post-TBD), TBD + hPRP (80μL by left intra-carotid-artery injection at 3 hours post-TBD), and TBD + phloretin + hPRP. Cerebral tissues were harvested on day 28 post-TBD for analysis.

Results: Brain MRI on day 28 showed the lowest BHV in the sham-control group and the highest in the TBD group.

Outcomes of combined mitochondria and mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosome therapy in rat acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis.

Background: The treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) complicated by sepsis syndrome (SS) remains challenging.

Aim: To investigate whether combined adipose-derived mesenchymal-stem-cells (ADMSCs)-derived exosome (EX) and exogenous mitochondria (mito) protect the lung from ARDS complicated by SS.

Methods: study, including L2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and study including male-adult-SD rats categorized into groups 1 (sham-operated-control), 2 (ARDS-SS), 3 (ARDS-SS + EX), 4 (ARDS-SS + mito), and 5 (ARDS-SS + EX + mito), were included in the present study.

Synergic effect of combined xenogeneic mesenchymal stem cells and ceftriaxone on acute septic arthritis.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that combined ceftriaxone (Cef) and human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCDMSCs) was better than either therapy for alleviating acute septic arthritis (ASA).

Methods And Results: Adult-male C57BL/6 mice were categorized into control group (Clt), group A (ASA only), group B [ASA + Cef (5 mg/kg, IM per day, at days 2 to 16 after ASA induction)], group C [ASA + HUCDMSCs (5 × 105 per mice at days 2, 3, 4 after ASA induction)], and group D (ASA + Cef + HUCDMSCs). Animals were euthanized by day 28.

ITRI Biofilm Prevented Thoracic Adhesion in Pigs That Received Myocardial Ischemic Induction Treated by Myocardial Implantation of EPCs and ECSW Treatment.

This study tested the hypothesis that ITRI Biofilm prevents adhesion of the chest cavity. Combined extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) + bone marrow-derived autologous endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) therapy was superior to monotherapy for improving heart function (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF]) in minipigs with ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) induced by an ameroid constrictor applied to the mid-left anterior descending artery. The minipigs ( = 30) were equally designed into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 (IC), group 3 (IC + EPCs/by directly implanted into the left ventricular [LV] myocardium; 3 [+]/3[-] ITRI Biofilm), group 4 (IC + ECSW; 3 [+]/[3] - ITRI Biofilm), and group 5 (IC + EPCs-ECSW; 3 [+]/[3] - ITRI Biofilm).

Efficacy and Safety of Acupuncture for Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Randomized-Controlled Trial at Hospital-Based Hemodialysis Center.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is frequent in patients with hemodialysis (HD) and occurs predominantly in its most severe forms. The study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for RLS in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) at hospital-based HD center. This single-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed on patients with HD and RLS who were randomly assigned to the experimental group and control group.

Prion Protein Overexpression in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSCs) Effectively Protected Rodent Kidney Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Via Enhancing ATP/Mitochondrial Biogenesis-Role of ADMSC Rejuvenation and Proliferation.

Background: We tested the hypothesis that overexpression of cellular-prion-protein in adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PrPC-ADMSCs) effectively protected the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rat.

Methods: Part I of cell culture was categorized into A1(ADMSCs)/A2(ADMSCs+p-Cresol)/A3(PrPC in ADMSCs)/A4 (PrPC in ADMSCs+p-Cresol). Part II of cell culture was divided into B1(ADMSCs)/B2[ADMSCs+lipopolysaccharide (LPS)]/B3(PrPC in ADMSCs)/B4(PrPC in ADMSCs+LPS).

Addition of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves empagliflozin therapy for alleviating hyperglycemia--induced neuropathy.

Background: We examined the impact of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC)-facilitated empagliflozin (EMPA) therapy for alleviating hyperglycemic induced neuropathy [i.e., diabetic neuropathy (DN)].

Interplay Between Inflammatory-immune and Interleukin-17 Signalings Plays a Cardinal Role on Liver Ischemia-reperfusion Injury-Synergic Effect of IL-17Ab, Tacrolimus and ADMSCs on Rescuing the Liver Damage.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that inflammatory and interleukin (IL)-17 signalings were essential for acute liver ischemia (1 h)-reperfusion (72 h) injury (IRI) that was effectively ameliorated by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and tacrolimus.

Methods: Adult-male SD rats (n = 50) were equally categorized into groups 1 (sham-operated-control), 2 (IRI), 3 [IRI + IL-17-monoclonic antibody (Ab)], 4 (IRI + tacrolimus), 5 (IRI + ADMSCs) and 6 (IRI + tacrolimus-ADMSCs) and liver was harvested at 72 h.

Results: The main findings included: (1) circulatory levels: inflammatory cells, immune cells, and proinflammatory cytokines as well as liver-damage enzyme at the time point of 72 h were highest in group 2, lowest in group 1 and significantly lower in group 6 than in groups 3 to 5 (all p < 0.

Early and Dose-Dependent Xenogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Improved Outcomes in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Rodent Through Ameliorating Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Immune Reaction.

This study tested whether human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HUCDMSCs) treatment effectively protected the rat lung against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) injury, and benefits of early and dose-dependent treatment. Rat pulmonary epithelial cell line L2 (PECL2) were categorized into G1 (PECL2), G2 (PECL2 + healthy rat lung-derived extraction/50 mg/ml co-cultured for 24 h), G3 (PECL2 + ARDS rat lung-derived extraction/50 mg/ml co-cultured for 24 h), and G4 (condition as G3 + HUCDMSCs/1 × 10/co-cultured for 24 h). The result showed that the protein expressions of inflammatory (HMGB-1/TLR-2/TLR-4/MAL/TRAM/MyD88/TRIF/TRAF6/IkB/NF-κB/IL-1β/TNF-α), oxidative-stress/mitochondrial-damaged (NOX-1/NOX-2/ASK1/p-MKK4/p-MKK7/JNKs/JUN/cytosolic-cytochrome-C/cyclophilin-D/DRP1), and cell-apoptotic/fibrotic (cleaved-caspase 3/cleaved-PARP/TGF-β/p-Smad3) biomarkers were significantly increased in G3 than in G1/G2 and were significantly reversed in G4 (all 0.

Repeated administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells added on beneficial effects of empagliflozin on protecting renal function in diabetic kidney disease rat.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most significant public health burdens worldwide. This study explored the renal protections of combined adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and empagliflozin (EMPA) in DKD rats.

Methods: Adult-male-SD rats were equally allocated into group 1 (sham-operated-control), group 2 (DKD), group 3 (DKD + EMPA/20 mg/kg/day since day-14 after CKD-induction), group 4 [DKD + ADMSCs (6.

Jagged/Notch proteins promote endothelial-mesenchymal transition-mediated pulmonary arterial hypertension via upregulation of the expression of GATAs.

This study tested the hypothesis that Jagged2/Notches promoted the endothelial-mesenchymal transition (endMT)-mediated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (i.e. induction by monocrotaline [MCT]/63 mg/kg/subcutaneous injection) through increasing the expression of GATA-binding factors which were inhibited by propylthiouracil (PTU) (i.

My lifelong dedication to bile acid research.

It is a great honor to be invited to write a reflection of my lifelong bile acid research for the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the premier biochemistry journal in which I am proud to have published 24 manuscripts. I published 21 manuscripts in the Journal of Lipid Research, also a journal of American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I started my reflection from my early education in Taiwan, my coming to America for graduate study, my postdoctoral training in cytochrome P450 research, and my lifelong bile acid research career at the not so "visible" Northeast Ohio Medical University.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing prion improve outcomes via the NLRP3 inflammasome/DAMP signalling after spinal cord injury in rat.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly destructive disease in human neurological functions. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) have tissue regenerations and anti-inflammations, especially with prion protein overexpression (PrPc ). Therefore, this study tested whether PrPc -ADMSCs therapy offered benefits in improving outcomes via regulating nod-like-receptor-protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/DAMP signalling after acute SCI in rats.

Oxidized-LDL Deteriorated the Renal Residual Function and Parenchyma in CKD Rat through Upregulating Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition and Extracellular Matrix-Mediated Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis-Pharmacomodulation of Rosuvastatin.

This study tested the hypothesis that intrarenal arterial transfusion of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) jeopardized the residual renal function and kidney architecture in rat chronic kidney disease ((CKD), i.e., induced by 5/6 nephrectomy) that was reversed by rosuvastatin.

Synergic Effect of Combined Therapy of Hyperbaric Oxygen and Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Improving Locomotor Recovery After Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rat Mainly Through Downregulating Inflammatory and Cell-Stress Signalings.

This study tested whether combined hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and allogenic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) would be superior to either one for improving the locomotor recovery in rat after acute traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) in rat. Adult-male Sprague-Dawley rats were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-operated control), group 2 (TSCI), group 3 (TSCI + HBO for 1.5 h/day for 14 consecutive days after TSCI), group 4 (TSCI + ADMSCs/1.

Exploring the pivotal variables of tongue diagnosis between patients with acute ischemic stroke and health participants.

Background And Aim: Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, and ischemic stroke is the most common type of stroke. The prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke remain a challenge worldwide. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is often sought to provide an alternative therapy for the prevention and rehabilitation intervention of ischemic stroke in Taiwan.

Rejuvenated endothelial progenitor cells through overexpression of cellular prion protein effectively salvaged the critical limb ischemia in rats with preexisting chronic kidney disease.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that overexpression of cellular prion protein in endothelial progenitor cells (PrPc-EPCs), defined as "rejuvenated EPCs," was superior to EPCs for salvaging the critical limb ischemia (CLI) induced after 28-day chronic kidney disease (CKD) induction in rat.

Methods And Results: Cell viability and flow cytometric analyses of early/late apoptosis/total-intracellular ROS/cell cycle (sub-G1, G2/M phase) were significantly higher in EPCs + HO than in EPCs that were significantly reversed in PrPc-EPCs + HO (all p < 0.001).

Inhibition of histone methyltransferase G9a effectively protected the kidney against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

This study examined whether BIX01294, a histone methyltransferase G9a inhibitor, effectively preserves the renal function following acute kidney ischemia-reperfusion (AKIR) injury. Adult-male-SD rats (n = 24) were equally categorized into Group 1 (sham-operated control), Group 2 (AKIR + 1.0 cc N/S I.

Dose-dependent benefits of iron-magnetic nanoparticle-coated human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment in rat intracranial hemorrhage model.

Background: This study tested whether two doses of human umbilical-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) were superior to one dose for protecting the brain against intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) induced by intracranial injection collagenase and the capacity of ironic-magnetic-nanoparticles (Ir-MNa) coated hUC-MSCs tracked by MRI.

Methods And Results: Adult male SD rats (n = 40) were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-operated-control), group 2 (ICH), group 3 [ICH + Ir-MNa-coated hUC-MSCs/1.2 × 10 cells with an extracorporeal magnet over rat head (eCMag)/administered by left internal carotid artery (LICA) at post-3 h ICH], and group 4 (ICH + Ir-MNa-coated hUC-MSCs/1.