The effect of IGF-1 on cartilage injury in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through the BMP2-Smad1/5 signaling pathway.

The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on cartilage injury and explore the regulatory mechanism of IGF-1 on the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-Smad1/5 signaling pathway. We cultivated rat BMSCs in vitro and observed their cell morphology using an inverted microscope. Flow cytometry was used to identify the surface antigen expression of BMSCs.

The Onset of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Triggers Nucleus Pulposus Cell Pyroptosis to Exacerbate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Purpose: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder marked by immune system dysregulation and autoantibodies production, causing widespread inflammation and damage across various body systems. Despite the prevalent back pain in SLE patients, the link between SLE and intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, a primary contributor to back pain, remains inadequately understood. This study explored the impact of SLE on IVD degeneration using the MRL/ mouse model, which effectively replicates human SLE manifestations.

iridoid glycosides, as an inhibitor of GSK-3β, alleviates rheumatoid arthritis through inhibition of NF-κB and JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Background: Morinda officinalis iridoid glycosides (MOIG) showed potential benefits in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but their exact mechanism has yet to be explored.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of MOIG on RA, and explore the potential targets and molecular mechanism of MOIG in RA.

Methods: The collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats were used to evaluate the effects of MOIG on RA.

Clinical efficacy and pharmacological mechanism analysis of Xubi Capsule in the treatment of patients with liver and kidney deficiency osteoarthritis.

To explore the clinical efficacy and pharmacological mechanism analysis of Xubi capsule in the treatment of patients with liver and kidney deficiency osteoarthritis (OA). In this single-center retrospective study, 120 patients with liver and kidney deficiency OA admitted to the Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to May 2022 were included, and patients were divided into the intervention group (n = 60) and the control group (n = 60) according to their treatment. The control group was treated with Ibuprofen, while the intervention group was treated with Xubi capsule combined with Ibuprofen.

Fabrication of injectable alginate hydrogels with sustained release of 4-octyl itaconate for articular anti-inflammatory.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and degenerative joint disease that remains a great challenge in treatment due to the lack of effective therapies. 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI) is a novel and potent modulator of inflammation for the treatment of inflammatory disease. However, the clinical usage of 4-OI is limited due to its poor solubility and low bioavailability.

Effect of collaborative nursing method based on RAM model on postoperative functional reconstruction, soft tissue pain and living quality in patients with femoral trochanter fracture.

Objective: To explore the effect of collaborative nursing based on Roy Adaptive Mode (RAM) on postoperative functional reconstruction, soft tissue pain and quality of life in patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture.

Methods: A retrospective matched control method was used in this study. A total of 96 patients with femoral intertrochanteric fracture admitted to our hospital from July 2018 to September 2021 were selected.

Augmented Levels in Liuwei Dihuang Decoction Inhibits Nucleus Pulposus Cell Pyroptosis to Enhance Therapeutic Efficacy Against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Background: Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is highly prevalent among the elderly population and stands as a leading cause of low back pain. Our prior studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of Liuwei Dihuang decoction (LWDHD) and its component (CO)-derived compounds in alleviating IVDD and osteoarthritis, suggesting beneficial effects of CO in treating degenerative osteoarthropathies. However, uncertainty remains regarding the optimal CO dosage within LWDHD and its potential mechanism for effectively treating IVDD.

Therapeutic effect of San Bi Tang combined with glucosamine sulfate capsules in cold-dampness-type knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Cold-dampness-type knee osteoarthritis is a common middle-aged and elderly disease, but its pathogenesis is not fully understood, and its clinical treatment has limitations. Glucosamine sulfate capsules are commonly used for treating arthritis, and San Bi Tang is a classic formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that has the effects of warming yang, dispelling dampness, relaxing muscles, and activating collaterals. This research hypothesized that the combination of modified San Bi Tang and glucosamine sulfate capsules could enhance the clinical efficacy of treating cold-dampness-type knee osteoarthritis through complementary effects.

Inhibition of Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis promotes osteogenic differentiation, offering a therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Background: Pyroptosis, an emerging inflammatory form of cell death, has been previously demonstrated to stimulate a massive inflammatory response, thus hindering the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Nevertheless, the impact of pyroptosis in thwarting osteogenic differentiation and exacerbating the advancement of osteoporosis (OP) remains enigmatic.

Methods: We evaluated the expression levels of pyroptosis-associated indicators, including NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), CASPASE-1, IL-1β, and IL-18, in specimens obtained from femoral heads of OP patients, as well as in an ovariectomy-induced mouse model of OP.

The emerging role of lncRNAs in osteoarthritis development and potential therapy.

Osteoarthritis impairs the functions of various joints, such as knees, hips, hands and spine, which causes pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility in joints. Multiple factors, including age, joint injuries, obesity, and mechanical stress, could contribute to osteoarthritis development and progression. Evidence has demonstrated that genetics and epigenetics play a critical role in osteoarthritis initiation and progression.

Mechanisms of action and synergetic formulas of plant-based natural compounds from traditional Chinese medicine for managing osteoporosis: a literature review.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic skeletal disease prevalent in older adults, characterized by substantial bone loss and deterioration of microstructure, resulting in heightened bone fragility and risk of fracture. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs have been widely employed in OP treatment owing to their advantages, such as good tolerance, low toxicity, high efficiency, and minimal adverse reactions. Increasing evidence also reveals that many plant-based compounds (or secondary metabolites) from these TCM formulas, such as resveratrol, naringin, and ginsenoside, have demonstrated beneficial effects in reducing the risk of OP.

The effects of modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy on TCM syndromes, cervical curvature and levels of inflammatory factors in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Objective: To explore the effect of modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes, cervical curvature, and inflammatory factor levels in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 114 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy who visited Pain Clinic, Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of TCM Orthopedics and Traumatology from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected as the study subjects. According to different treatment methods, these patients were divided into an observation group (n=57, treated with blade needle therapy) and a control group (n=57, treated with modified Guizhi plus Gegen decoction combined with the blade needle therapy).

AR/PCC herb pair inhibits osteoblast pyroptosis to alleviate diabetes-related osteoporosis by activating Nrf2/Keap1 pathway.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent complication of diabetes, characterized by systemic metabolic impairment of bone mass and microarchitecture, particularly in the spine. Anemarrhenae Rhizoma/Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (AR/PCC) herb pair has been extensively employed in Traditional Chinese Medicine to manage diabetes; however, its potential to ameliorate diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) has remained obscure. Herein, we explored the protective efficacy of AR/PCC herb pair against DOP using a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat diabetic model.

The effects of acupuncture combined with western medicine in the treatment of neck, shoulder, lumbar and leg pain.

Objective: To investigate the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture combined with western medicine in the treatment of neck, shoulder, lumbar and leg pain and its influence on the degree of pain, motor functions and inflammatory factor levels.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 86 patients with neck, shoulder, lumbar and leg pain treated in Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hangzhou Fuyang Hospital of TCM from June 2019 to June 2022 were selected as the study subjects. According to different treatment methods, these patients were divided into an observation group (n=43) and a control group (n=43).

Combination of chemically modified SDF-1α mRNA and small skin improves wound healing in diabetic rats with full-thickness skin defects.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is associated with refractory wound healing, yet current therapies are insufficient to accelerate the process of healing. Recent studies have indicated chemically modified mRNA (modRNA) as a promising therapeutic intervention. The present study aimed to explore the efficacy of small skin engineered to express modified mRNAs encoding the stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) facilitating wound healing in a full-thickness skin defect rat model.

Aberrant spinal mechanical loading stress triggers intervertebral disc degeneration by inducing pyroptosis and nerve ingrowth.

Aberrant mechanical factor is one of the etiologies of the intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD). However, the exact molecular mechanism of spinal mechanical loading stress-induced IVDD has yet to be elucidated due to a lack of an ideal and stable IVDD animal model. The present study aimed to establish a stable IVDD mouse model and evaluated the effect of aberrant spinal mechanical loading on the pathogenesis of IVDD.

Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata promotes bone fracture healing through activation of TGF-β signaling in mesenchymal progenitors.

Background: Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata (RR), the steamed roots of Rehmannia glutinosa, is a traditional Chinese medicine with the function of kidney-nourishing, and it has been safety used for centuries to treat bone-related disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the positive effect and underlying mechanism of RR enhancing bone fracture healing in mouse model.

Methods: Ten-week-old C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a unilateral open transverse tibial fracture and provided a daily treatment of RR.