Int J Med Sci
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The loss of pancreatic β-cells is a cause of diabetes. Therefore, replacement of pancreatic β-cells is a logical strategy for the treatment of diabetes, and the generation of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) from stem cells has been widely investigated as an alternative source for pancreatic β-cells. Here, we isolated stem cells from human urine and investigated their differentiation potential into IPCs. ⋯ When we directly differentiated hUDSCs into IPCs, the differentiated cells expressed mRNA for pancreatic transcription factors such as neurogenin (Ngn)3 and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox (Pdx)1. Differentiated IPCs expressed insulin and glucagon mRNA and protein, and these IPCs also secreted insulin in response to glucose stimulation. In conclusion, we found that hUDSCs can be directly differentiated into IPCs, which secrete insulin in response to glucose.
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This study investigated the anti-allergic effect of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. (PT) on human keratinocytic HaCaT cells in vitro and on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis-like lesions in vivo. The release of TARC, MCP-1, IL-6 and IL-8 is increased by IFN-γ and TNF-α in HaCaT cells, and PT extract suppressed the increased production of TARC, MCP-1, IL-6, and IL-8. ⋯ The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in mouse splenocytes increased after treatment with concanavalin A, and the secretions of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin were lower in the PT-treated group than in the DNCB group. These findings may indicate that PT is useful in drug development for the treatment of AD.
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Background: Essential hypertension (EH) is a chronic disease of universal high prevalence and a well-established independent risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The regulation of blood pressure is crucial for improving life quality and prognoses in patients with EH. Therefore, it is of important clinical significance to develop prediction models to recognize individuals with high risk for EH. ⋯ The model for SBP consists of 6 environmental factors (age, BMI, waist circumference, exercise [times per week], parental history of hypertension [either or both]) and 1 SNP (rs7305099); model for DBP consists of 6 environmental factors (weight, drinking, exercise [times per week], TG, parental history of hypertension [either and both]) and 3 SNPs (rs5193, rs7305099, rs3889728). AUC are 0.673 and 0.817 for SBP and DBP model, respectively. Conclusions: The present study identified environmental and genetic risk factors for EH in northern Han Chinese population and constructed prediction models for SBP and DBP.
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Background: Oxidative stress plays key roles in the progression of lung adenocarcinoma. Recently, we reported that peroxiredoxin 4 (PRDX4), an antioxidant enzyme, can be a prognostic marker of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In the present study, we aimed to further investigate the relationship among the PRDX4 expression, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations and cell proliferation in LUAD. ⋯ The combination of the PRDX4 expression level with the EGFR mutation status was closely associated with the prognosis of patients with stage I LUAD. Viability assays showed that the proliferation of A549 cells was significantly suppressed after PRDX4 plasmid transfection, while the overexpression of PRDX4 had no effect on the proliferation of EGFR-mutant PC-9 cells. Conclusions: The PRDX4 expression and EGFR mutation status were significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with stage I LUAD, and EGFR mutations affected the role of PRDX4 in the proliferation of LUAD cells.
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Nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) is emerged as a potential curative modality to ablate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The application of local ablation is usually limited by insufficiency of liver function. While baicalin, a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been proven to possess both anti-tumor and protective effects. ⋯ After treatment by nsPEFs, most hepatocytes died by apoptosis, nevertheless, nearly all cancer cells were killed through necrosis. Low concentration of baicalin synergically enhanced nsPEFs-induced suppression and necrosis of HCC cells, nevertheless, the application of baicalin protected normal hepatocytes from the injury caused by nsPEFs, owing to elevating mitochondrial transmembrane potential and reducing ROS generation. Our work provided an advantageous therapy for HCC through the enhanced combination treatment of nsPEFs and baicalin, with which could improve the tumor-ablation effect and alleviate the injury of hepatic tissues simultaneously.