Long non-coding RNA FTX promotes gastric cancer progression by targeting miR-215

OBJECTIVE

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, which is seriously harmful to people's health. The increasing number of studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is related to the occurrence of gastric cancer. In this study, we aimed at investigating the role of lnc FTX in the occurrence of gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The expression of FTX in gastric cancer patients and gastric cancer cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR. Univariate Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between FTX expression level, clinicopathological parameters and overall survival rate (OS). After transferring si-FTX and overexpression FTX plasmids into MGC-803 and SGC-7901, the expression of miR-215-3p was detected by RT-qPCR, and the changes of cell proliferation and cell cycle were detected by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. In addition, luciferase activity was used to detect whether miR-215-3p combined with FTX and SIVA1. Finally, Western blot (WB) was used to detect the change of SIVA1 protein expression by miR-215 mimic.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of FTX in tumor tissues of 71 GC patients was higher than that in paracancerous tissues, and the prognosis of patients with high FTX was poor. The expression of FTX in gastric cancer cells was higher than that in normal human gastric epithelial cells (GES-1). Transferring overexpression plasmid of FTX into gastric cancer cells (MGC-803 and SGC-7901) promoted cell proliferation and the ratio of cells in G0-G1 phase was decreased. Transferring si-FTX to MGC-803 and SGC-7901 led to opposite results. There was a negative correlation between the expression of mi215-3p and FTX in MGC-803 and SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells, and luciferase results showed that mi215-3p could directly bind to FTX and regulate cell growth and cell cycle changes. In addition, luciferase results showed that mi215-3p could bind directly to SIVA1. What's more, RT-qPCR and WB results showed that mi215 mimic could promote the expression of MGC-803, SGC-7901 SIVA1mRNA and protein.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results, this study revealed that the previously neglected FTX-miR2153p-SIVA1 regulatory axis for the regulation of gastric cancer progression, which may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric cancer.

The feasibility of dual-energy CT to predict the probability of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage after successful mechanical thrombectomy

AIM

To study the ability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) after successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT) to predict symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage (sICH) in anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke (AIS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From June 2018 to February 2020, 102 AIS patients with DECT performed immediately after successful MT were enrolled prospectively. According to the presence of iodine contrast media extravasation (ICME) on DECT and subsequent sICH development, patients were classified into four groups. The neurological outcome was compared among groups. Imaging parameters, together with clinical factors, were investigated for sICH prediction based on a linear logistic regression model after class-imbalance resolved by Synthetic Minority Sampling Technique (SMOTE) method.

RESULTS

Among 102 patients, patients (14.7%, 15/102) with the presence of sICH experienced worse outcomes than others without sICH (p<0.001). No case without ICME was observed with sICH development (0/102). The parameters derived from DECT have excellent performance for sICH prediction after successful MT, which is better than clinical predictive model boosted data (area under the curve [AUC]: DECT 0.87 versus clinical prediction 0.65), cross-validation results (AUC: DECT 0.87 versus clinical prediction 0.65), and original data (AUC: DECT 0.85 versus clinical prediction 0.68). By combining clinical and radiological parameters, the predictive performance for sICH could be further improved with an AUC of 0.90 (95% CI: 0.85-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on DECT parameters acquired immediately after successful MT, the present model was more efficient than the clinical model for accurate prediction of sICH. Rho and ICME volume appeared to be the best parameters for predicting sICH using DECT.

Adipokinetic hormone enhances CarE-mediated chlorpyrifos resistance in the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

Adipokinetic hormone (AKH), the principal stress-responsive neurohormone in insects, has been implicated in insect responses to insecticides. However, the functionality of AKH and its mode of signalling in insecticide resistance are unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that the enhanced activity of carboxylesterases (CarEs) is involved in the chlorpyrifos resistance in Nilaparvata lugens [brown planthopper (BPH)]. Chlorpyrifos exposure significantly induced the expression of AKH and its receptor AKHR in the susceptible BPH (Sus), and these two AKH signalling genes were over-expressed in the chlorpyrifos-resistant strain (Res) compared to Sus. RNA interference (RNAi) against AKH or AKHR decreased the CarE activity and suppressed the BPH's resistance to chlorpyrifos in Res. Conversely, AKH peptide injection elevated the CarE activity and enhanced the BPH's survival against chlorpyrifos in Sus. Furthermore, five CarE genes were identified to be positively affected by the AKH pathway using RNAi and AKH injection. Among these CarE genes, CarE and Esterase E4-1 were found to be over-expressed in Res compared to Sus, and knockdown of either gene decreased the BPH's resistance to chlorpyrifos. In conclusion, AKH plays a role in enhancing chlorpyrifos resistance in the BPH through positive influence on the expression of CarE genes and CarE enzyme activity.

Multi-scale mechanical investigation of articular cartilage suffered progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia

BACKGROUND

Progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia is a rare skeletal dysplasia mainly caused by abnormal autosomal recessive inheritance. Although the main function of cartilage is mechanical support and the characteristics of this disease is the degradation of AC, previous studies on it had been mainly focused on clinical and genetic aspects and the mechanical behavior of the cartilage affected by PPRD is still ambiguous. In this study, we investigate the mechanics and structure of the cartilage suffered disease at multi-scale, from individual chondrocytes to the bulk-scale tissue.

METHODS

Depth-sensing indenter were employed to investigate the mechanics of cartilage; we performed atomic force microscope nanoindentation to investigate the cell mechanics and scanning electron microscopy were used to explore the structure feature and chemical composition.

FINDINGS

The elastic modulus of chondrocytes harvested from cartilage suffered from progressive pseudorheumatoid dysplasia is significantly higher than from normal cartilage, same trend were also found in tissue level. Moreover, denser collagen meshwork and matrix calcification were also observed.

INTERPRETATION

The elastic modulus of cartilage should closely related to its denser structure and the calcification, and may potentially be an indicator for clinical diagnosis. The stiffening of chondrocytes during PPRD progression should play a rather important role in its pathogenesis.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for dysarthria in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Approximately 89% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffer from dysarthria. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), a behavioral therapy, aims to improve speech and voice functions. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of LSVT compared with other/no speech interventions for dysarthria in patients with PD. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library, were searched. The publication date of all included studies was before 6 March 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the LSVT intervention compared with other/no speech intervention were considered. The data obtained from the included studies were described and the mean differences were calculated. Eight RCTs were included in this meta-analysis comparing LSVT with other/no speech interventions. In the comparison of LSVT versus no intervention, vocal intensity for sustained 'Ah' phonation, reading the 'Rainbow passage', monologue and describing a picture increased by 8.87, 4.34, 3.25 and 3.31 dB, respectively, after 1 month of therapy. Compared with the respiratory therapy group, the LSVT group also showed significant improvement in vocal intensity for sustained 'Ah' phonation, reading the 'Rainbow passage' and monologue immediately after treatment (13.39, 6.66 and 3.19 dB). Positive improvement still existed after 24 months. There was no difference in the therapeutic effect between face-to-face and online LSVT. The effectiveness of LSVT for dysarthria in patients with PD was verified in these trials. However, future RCTs with sufficient participants are essential to evaluate the effectiveness of LSVT for dysarthria.

Downregulation of CDCA3 expression inhibits tumor formation in pancreatic cancer

Downregulation of cell division cycle-associated 3 (CDCA3) markedly inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in tumors. However, the effect of CDCA3 in pancreatic cancer (PAC) was rarely investigated. Therefore, this study attempted to clarify the role of CDCA3 in PAC. The mRNA and protein expression of CDCA3 were examined in PAC cell lines and tumor tissues by using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effects of CDCA3 downregulation on cell proliferation, apoptosis, and colony information were investigated through MTT assay, Annexin V-APC single staining cell apoptosis detection, and colony formation test. The microarray and ingenuity pathway analysis were employed to explore the potential regulatory relation. The tumor xenograft model was established for determining the effect of CDCA3 downregulation on the growth of PAC in vivo. The results showed that the expression of CDCA3 in tumor tissues was higher than that of normal tissues (p<0.05). In addition, the mRNA expression of CDCA3 was markedly increased in PANC-1 cells and SW 1990 cells when compared with human pancreatic duct epithelial (HPDE) cells (p<0.05). MTT assay showed that the cell proliferation of PANC-1 cells and SW 1990 cells was significantly inhibited after the lentivirus transfection of CDCA3 knockdown (p<0.05). Annexin V-APC apoptosis assays suggested that the apoptotic cell number was markedly increased in the shCDCA3 group compared to that in the shCtrl group in SW 1990 cells and PANC-1 cells (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the activity of caspase-3/7 was obviously elevated in the shCDCA3 group compared to the shCtrl group (p<0.05). The colony formation was notably inhibited in the shCDCA3 group relative to the shCtrl group in SW 1990 cells (p<0.05). Moreover, the tumor growth was evidently suppressed in the shCDCA3 group compared with the shCtrl group in vivo (p<0.05). These findings revealed that CDCA3 plays a crucial role in the progress of PCA by regulating cell apoptosis and proliferation, which may serve as a potential target for PAC treatment.

Intrinsic Fluoride Tolerance Regulated by a Transcription Factor

Fluoride facilitates the remineralization of dental hard tissues and affects bacterial activities. Therefore, it is extensively used as an anti-caries agent in clinical practice and daily life. Although some studies focused on understanding Streptococcus mutans' response to fluoride, the mechanism regulating intrinsic fluoride tolerance is not yet clear. Since the TetR family of transcription factors is associated with multidrug resistance, our aim was to evaluate whether they are related to fluoride tolerance in S. mutans. A mutant library including each S. mutans TetR gene was constructed and the transcription factor fluoride related transcriptional regulator (FrtR) was identified. The in-frame deletion of the S. mutans frtR gene resulted in decreased cell viability under fluoride in both the planktonic state and single-/dual-species biofilms. This in-frame frtR mutant was used for RNA-sequencing and the fluoride related permease gene (frtP) was found as 1 of the downstream genes directly regulated by FrtR. The recombinant FrtR protein was purified, and conserved DNA binding motifs were determined using electrophoretic mobility shift and DNase I footprinting assays. Finally, a series of mutant and complement strains were constructed to perform the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays, which indicated that frtP upregulation led to the increase of fluoride sensitivity. Collectively, our results indicate that FrtR is an important transcription factor regulating the frtP expression in S. mutans, thus affecting the intrinsic fluoride tolerance. Therefore, this study provides novel insights into a potential target to increase the S. mutans sensitivity to fluoride for a better prevention of dental caries.

[Long-term efficacy of robotic radical total gastrectomy for gastric cancer and analysis of prognostic factors]

Objective: To analyze long-term outcomes and prognostic factors of gastric cancer patients after robotic radical total gastrectomy. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Inclusion criteria: (1) receiving robotic radical total gastrectomy; (2) gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed by postoperative pathology; (3) no previous history of other malignant tumors; (4) no preoperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy performed. Exclusion criteria: (1) age <18 years old or age >80 years old;(2)distant metastasis before surgery, or palliative surgery; (3) conversion to laparotomy;(4) R1 or R2 resection; (5)emergency surgery; (6) remnant gastric cancer or recurrence; (7)died of severe complications during hospitalization or within 1 month after surgery. Overall survival rates (OS) and disease-free survival rates (DFS) were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to identify prognosis factors for overall survival. Results: According to the above criteria, 166 gastric cancer patients who underwent robotic radical total gastrectomy between March 2010 and November 2018 were included in this study. Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed in all patients. Reconstruction were achieved using extracorporeal method through a minilaparotomy in 149 case and intracorporeal anastomosis in 17 cases. The number of harvested lymph nodes was (34.8±17.5), and the number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 was (10.1±6.7). The number of patients with lymph node metastasis of group 2 was 73 (44.0%). The median follow-up time was 25 months (range 2-109). There were 55 (33.1%) cases of recurrence during follow-up. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 55.8% and 46.2% respectively. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 53.4% and 45.4% respectively. The 5-year overall survival rates grouped based on TNM stage were 78.9% for stage I, 58.5% for stage II, and 37.1% for stage III. The 5-year disease-free survival rates grouped based on TNM stage were 78.9% for stage I, 59.2% for stage II, and 34.6% for stage III. Univariate analysis suggested that TNM stage, the number of harvested lymph nodes and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 were associated with overall survival rates (all P<0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed that TNM stage (P<0.001; stage IIIB: HR=5.357, 95%CI:1.182 to 24.275; stage IIIC: HR=11.937, 95%CI: 2.677 to 53.226) and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 (P=0.034; 6-10: HR=0.562,95%CI:0.326 to 0.969; >10: HR=0.388, 95%CI: 0.176 to 0.857) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Conclusion: The long-term outcomes of robotic radical total gastrectomy were satisfactory. TNM stage and number of harvested lymph nodes at group 2 were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.

[Efficacy comparison between robot-assisted and laparoscopic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer: a prospective randomized controlled trial]

Objective: To compare the short- and long-term outcomes of robot-assisted and laparoscopic radical resection for mid-low rectal cancer. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 130 patients with mid-low rectal cancer (inclusion criteria: age > 18 or ≤80 years old; pathological diagnosis of rectal adenocarcinoma by colonoscopy; distance from tumor to the anal verge ≤12 cm; no distant metastasis; cT1-3N0-1 or ycT1-3 after neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy; suitable for laparoscopic and robotic surgery) at the Department of Colorectal Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2016 to September 2018 were prospectively enrolled. According to computer-generated random number method, patients were randomly divided into the robot group (n=66) and laparoscopy group (n=64), and underwent robot-assisted surgery or laparoscopic surgery respectively. Clinicopathological data of all the patients were collected and analyzed. The demographic parameters, short- and long-term outcomes were compared between two groups. Results: One patient in robot group whose postoperative sample was diagnosed as rectal adenoma by pathology was excluded. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, BMI, ASA classification, distance from tumor to the anal verge, serum CEA level, CA199 level between two groups (all P>0.05). Operations were successfully performed in all the patients without conversion to open operation. Robotic surgery was found to be associated with less intraoperative blood loss than laparoscopic surgery [(73.4±49.7) ml vs. (119.1±65.7) ml, t=-4.461, P<0.001], while there were no statistically significant differences in surgical procedures, operation time, time to first flatus, time to first liquid intake, time to removal of catheter or postoperative hospital stay between two groups (all P>0.05). Besides, there was no significant difference in the morbidity of postoperative complication between two groups [10.8% (7/65) vs. 12.5 (8/64), χ(2)=4.342, P=0.720]. The median number of harvested lymph node in the robot group and the laparoscopy group was 15.7±6.2 and 13.8±6.1 (t=1.724, P=0.087). There were no significant differences between two groups in tumor sample length, distance between proximal and distal resection margin, integrity grade of TME specimen, number of positive lymph nodes, postoperative pathological stage and tumor differentiation (all P>0.05). The distal resection margin of samples in two groups was all negative. One case in the robot group was found to have positive circumferential resection margin. The median follow up was 24 (9 to 31) months. In the robot group and the laparoscopy group, the 2-year overall survival rate was 95.4% and 90.6% respectively; the 2-year disease-free survival rate was 90.8% and 85.9% respectively, whose differences were not significant (both P>0.05). Conclusion: Robot-assisted radical resection for mid-low rectal cancer can achieve similar short-term and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic resection, while robot-assisted surgery can decrease blood loss during operation, leading to more precise practice in minimally invasive surgery.

Logistic regression analysis of risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding induced by PCI in combination with double antiplatelet therapy for STEMI patients

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) during double antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

METHODS

A total of 388 patients treated from January 2015 to September 2017 due to STEMI were selected. Thirty-two cases of UGIB occurring during DAPT after PCI were included as a UGIB group, and another 356 cases without UGIB were set as a control group. Age, gender, body mass index, smoking, drinking, history of previous diseases (hypertension, diabetes and digestive tract diseases), infection of Helicobacter pylori (Hp), combined use of other drugs (statins, NSAIDs, β receptor blockers, PPI, H2RA and dabigatran etexilate), as well as serum levels of creatinine (Cr), alanine transaminase (ALT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were compared. The risk factors for UGIB were subjected to univariate and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the UGIB group had significantly longer hospital stay, and higher proportion of discontinuation of antithrombotic drugs and mortality rate (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (P=0.002), smoking (P=0.000), Hp infection (P=0.020), history of digestive tract diseases (P=0.030) and renal insufficiency (P=0.041) were independent risk factors for UGIB, and use of PPI (P=0.028) was a protective factor for UGIB.

CONCLUSIONS

Old age, smoking, Hp infection, history of digestive tract diseases and renal insufficiency are risk factors for UGIB caused by PCI combined with DAPT in patients with STEMI. Proper use of PPI thereafter can reduce the incidence rate of UGIB.

[Analysis on the technical characteristics and clinical efficacy of robotic-assisted intersphincteric resection for patients with low rectal cancer]

Objective: To explore the technical characteristics and short-term clinical efficacy of robotic-assisted intersphincteric resection (ISR) for patients with low rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was used. Inclusion criteria: (1) rigid colonoscopy showed lower margin of the tumor ≤5 cm from the anal verge; (2) preoperative rectal MRI or endorectal ultrasound revealed staging T1-2, or T3 patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy; (3) patients less than 70 years old with good function of anal sphincter before surgery; (4) no synchronous multiple primary carcinoma, and no distant metastasis; (5) the method of operation was agreed by the patient. Exclusion criteria: (1) T4 stage tumors; (2) sphincter dysfunction before operation; (3) recurrent tumors; (4) lower edge of tumors beyond the dentate line; (5) death due to non-rectal cancer during follow-up and unsatisfactory follow-up data. The clinical data of 21 patients with low rectal cancer meeting inclusion criteria undergoing robotic-assisted ISR at our department from January 2015 to June 2018 were collected. Parameters during and after operation were observed. Anorectal manometry was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation, and anal function was evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months after the closure of the stoma by Kirwan classification and Wexner fecal incontinence score. The key steps of the operation are as follows: according to the principle of total mesorectal excision, the robot continued to enter into the levator ani hiatusdistally, and dissectin the sphincter space; according to the scope of sphincter resection, ISRwas divided into partial ISR, subtotal ISR, and total ISR; subtotal and total ISR usually needed to be combined with transanal pathway. The reconstruction of digestive tract was performed by double stapler anastomosis under laparoscope orhand-sewnanastomosis under direct vision, and preventive ileostomy was completed in the right lower abdomen. Results: Of 21 patients, 13 were male and 8 were female with mean age of (57.5±16.3) years. All the patients successfully completed the operation without conversion to laparotomy. Fourteen cases (66.7%) adopted partial ISR through complete transabdominal approach, 6 cases (28.6%) adopted the subtotal ISR through combined transabdominal and transanal approachs, and 1 case (4.8%) adopted the total ISR through the combined transabdominal and transanal approachs. The total operation time was (213.1±56.3) minutes, including (27.3±5.4) minutes for mechanical arm installation and (175.7±51.6) minutes for robotic operation. The amount of intraoperative hemorrhage was (62.8±23.2) ml, and no blood transfusion was performed in any patient. All patients underwent prophylactic ileostomy, and the stoma was closed 3-6 months after the operation. Except one case of anastomotic leakage, all other stomas were closed successfully. The postoperative hospitalization time was (7.6±2.2) days, and time to fluid intake was (3.3±0.9) days. One case of anastomotic leakage, one case of anastomotic stenosis, one case of inflammatory external hemorrhoids and one case of urinary retention occurred after surgery,and all of them were cured by conservative treatment. The mean diameter of tumors was (2.9±1.2) cm, and the number of harvested lymph node was 12.8 ± 3.3. In the whole group, the circumcision margin was negative, the proximal margin was (12.2 ± 2.1) cm, the distal margin was (1.1 ± 0.4) with all negative, and the R0 resection rate was 100%. The results of anorectal manometry showed that the preoperative rest pressure, rectal maximum squeeze pressure, initial sensory volume and maximum tolerated volume were (45.19±8.46) mmHg, (128.18±18.80) mmHg, (44.33±10.11) ml and (119.00±19.28) ml, respectively;these parameters reduced significantly 3 months after operation and they were (23.44±5.54) mmHg, (93.72±12.15) mmHg, (17.72±5.32) ml and (70.44±10.9) ml, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). The resting pressure and the rectal maximum squeeze pressure returned to preoperative levels 12 months after operation, which were (39.33±6.64) mmHg and (120.58±16.47) mmHg, respectively (both P>0.05), while the initial sensory volume and the maximum tolerated volume failed to reach the preoperative state, which were (30.67±7.45) ml and (92.25±10.32) ml, respectively (both P<0.05). The patients were followed up for (22.1±10.6) months without local recurrence and distant metastasis. Eighteen patients were evaluated for anal function: Kirwan classification was grade I for 6 cases, grade II for 7 cases, grade III for 4 cases, and grade IV for 1 case; Wexner incontinence score was 8.6±0.8; 14 cases had good defecation control. Conclusion: The clinical efficacy of ISR with Da Vinci robot in the treatment of low rectal cancer is satisfactory.

Cell therapy of a knee osteoarthritis rat model using precartilaginous stem cells

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect and mechanism of precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) engraftment-inducing tissue repair in a knee osteoarthritis (OA) rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) model was constructed in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by partial removal of the medial meniscus of the right knee. PSCs were engrafted by injecting precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) into the right knee cavity. At 4 and 8 weeks after model construction, the serum levels of interleukine (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-6 were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess the histopathology of synovial membrane and cartilage. Western blot analysis was used to assess Notch1, Bcl-2 and Bax levels in the articular cartilage.

RESULTS

At 4 and 8 weeks, OA rats demonstrated significantly higher IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels than normal rats (p < 0.05), whereas PSCs treatment prominently attenuated IL-1β upregulation (p < 0.05). In OA rats, the number of chondrocytes dramatically decreased over time in OA rats, with disruption of chondrocytes organization and cell layers. PSCs alleviated the deterioration of cartilage, as evidenced by the relatively smooth articular surface, distinct tidemark and clear cell layers. The model and treatment groups demonstrated substantially higher Notch1 expression. The Bcl-2/Bax value in the OA rats was lower than the control group, while PSCs treatment led to increase in Bcl-2/Bax value.

CONCLUSIONS

PSCs treatment downregulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, alleviating osteoarthritis in the knee of rats. Notch1 signaling pathway plays an important role in this ameliorating effect of PSCs treatment.