Stem cell-derived exosomes: Role in the pathogenesis and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory debris in large arteries, high morbidity, and AS-related disease mortality. AS is a complex process, involving endothelial cell dysfunction and inflammation, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and macrophage activation. However, the currently available therapies for AS are not ideal, thus requiring development of novel treatment strategies.

Roles of exosomal miRNA in vascular aging.

Aging is a major risk factor for human diseases. As global average life expectancy has lengthened, delaying or reducing aging and age-related diseases has become an urgent issue for improving the quality of life. The vascular aging process represents an important link between aging and age-related diseases.

Biogenesis, Features, Functions, and Disease Relationships of a Specific Circular RNA: CDR1as.

In 2011, Hansen discovered the natural antisense transcript (NAT) of the cerebellar degeneration-related protein 1 gene (CDR1), and further described CDR1 NAT as a circular RNA (CircRNA). CDR1 antisense RNA (CDR1as), which is the official name of CDR1 NAT, is conserved and extensively expressed in most eutherian mammal brains and other specialized tissues. Further studies have elucidated its biogenesis, features, functions, and relationships with diseases.

Circular RNAs in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a common cause of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have attracted substantial attention for their roles in various physiological and pathological processes. In recent years, research on the roles of circRNAs in atherosclerosis has progressed rapidly, and they have been implicated in the pathophysiological processes underlying the development of atherosclerosis, including changes in the functions of endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and macrophages.

Noncoding RNAs in Vascular Aging.

Increases in age are accompanied by vascular aging, which can lead to a variety of chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis and hypertension. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have become a research hotspot in different fields of life sciences in recent years. For example, these molecules have been found to have regulatory roles in many physiological and pathological processes.

Exosomal long noncoding RNAs in aging and age-related diseases.

Molecules secreted by cells into the internal environment during aging, including those secreted in exosomes, have long been a matter of concern. Those cells that absorb exosomes, also known as recipient cells, exhibit certain phenotypic changes because of the regulatory role of functional molecules (including proteins and nucleic acids) released in exosomes. Involvement of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the regulation of aging has received increasing attention, and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) have become one of the research hotspots in recent years.

Atorvastatin improves left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in rats with congestive heart failure by inhibiting RhoA/Rho kinase-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of atorvastatin (Ato) against chronic heart failure (CHF). A rat model of CHF was established and cardiac functions were assessed using Echocardiography. The expression of RhoA/Rho kinase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was assessed using western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction following 4 weeks of treatment.

[An observation of the basement membrane remodeling after the combined grafting of xenogenic acellular dermal matrix with autoskin in rats].

Objective: To observe the dynamic process of basement membrane remodeling after the combined grafting of xenogenic acellular dermal matrix with autoskin.

Methods: The rat skin wounds were covered with xenogenic porcine acellular dermal matrix overlaid with razor thin autoskin. The skin samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 16 post-grafting weeks.

[An experimental study on the influence of inhibition of postburn stress on inflammatory reaction in severely scalded rats].

Objective: To investigate the influence of hibernation drugs on postburn stress and inflammatory reaction in severely scalded rats.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats inflicted with 30% TBSA deep partial thickness scalding were employed as the model. The rats were divided into A (scalding with immediate resuscitation), B (scalding with immediate resuscitation and lytic cocktail), C (scalding with delayed resuscitation), D (scalding with delayed resuscitation and lytic cocktail) and E (sham injury) groups.

[Experimental study on the inflammatory and immune responses of xenogenic acellular dermal matrix transplantation combined with thin split-thickness skin autograft].

Objective: To investigate the dynamic process of the inflammatory response and the profile of Th1/Th2 cytokines after xenogenic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) transplantation with thin split-thickness skin autograft overlay.

Methods: SD rats were used in the study. In the control group, thin split-thickness skin autograft (STSG) was transplanted in the full-thickness skin defect of the SD rats; in the experimental group, the xenogenic acellular dermal matrix combined with thin split-thickness skin autograft was transplanted.