Pueraria thunbergianainhibits cisplatin-induced damage of HEI-OC1 auditory cells through scavenging free radicals

Impact of cholesterol homeostasis within cochlear cells on auditory development and hearing loss

Cholesterol is the most abundant sterol molecule in mammalian cells, which not only constitutes the cell membrane but also plays essential roles in the synthesis of important hormones, synapse formation, and cell signal transduction. The effect of hypercholesterolemia on hearing has been studied extensively, and multiple studies have demonstrated that hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for hearing loss. However, the impact of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on peripheral auditory development and maintenance has not been evaluated in detail. Mutations in certain cholesterol metabolism-related genes, such as NPC1, SERAC1, DHCR7, and OSBPL2, as well as derivatives of cholesterol metabolism-related ototoxic drugs, such as β-cyclodextrin, can lead to disruptions of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells, resulting in hearing loss. This article aims to review the impact of cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on the peripheral auditory function from the following two perspectives: (1) changes in cholesterol homeostasis regulatory genes in various hearing loss models; (2) mechanisms underlying the effects of some drugs that have a therapeutic effect on hearing loss via regulating cholesterol homeostasis. This article aims to summarize and analyze the impact of disruption of cellular cholesterol homeostasis within auditory cells on hearing, in order to provide evidence regarding the underlying mechanisms.

Regulation of PPARγ/CPT-1 expression ameliorates cochlear hair cell injury by regulating cellular lipid metabolism and oxidative stress

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of PPARγ/CPT-1 regulation on cisplatin-induced cochlear hair cell injury. The viability, apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane potential of cisplatin-induced HEI-OC1 cells were determined by CCK-8 assay, TUNEL and JC-1 staining, respectively. The oxidative stress and lipid metabolism were detected by the assay kits of MDA, ROS, SOD, CAT, TG and FFA. The transfection efficiency of overexpression (OV)-PPARG and OV-CPT1A was examined by RT-qPCR and the expressions of apoptosis- and lipid metabolism-related proteins were detected by western blot. As a result, cisplatin with varying concentrations (5, 10, 30 μM) suppressed the viability, promoted the apoptosis and hindered the mitochondrial function of HEI-OC1 cells, accompanied with up-regulated expressions of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2. The oxidative stress was aggravated and lipid metabolism was inhibited by cisplatin (5, 10, 30 μM) induction, evidenced by the increased levels of MDA, ROS, TG, FFA and the decreased levels of SOD and CAT. Overexpression of PPARG or CPT1A could improve the viability, mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism and suppress the oxidative stress and apoptosis of cisplatin-induced HEI-OC1 cells. In conclusion, up-regulation of PPARG or CPT1A ameliorated cochlear hair cell injury by improving cellular lipid metabolism and inhibiting oxidative stress.

Efficacy of Nimodipine Plus Yufeng Ningxin Tablets for Patients with Frequent Migraine

BACKGROUND/AIMS

To test the effects of Nimodipine plus Yufeng Ningxin tablets on frequent migraine.

METHODS

Two hundred forty-two patients with frequent migraine were divided into the control group with those consuming Flunarizine (120 cases) and the treatment group with those consuming Nimodipine plus Yufeng Ningxin tablets (122 cases). The course of frequent migraine treatment lasted 7 weeks. The number of migraine days, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and response rate were measured.

RESULTS

There was significant difference in the cure rate as the Nimodipine plus Yufeng Ningxin tablets group compared with the Flunarizine group (78.7 vs. 21.7%; p < 0.001). Fewer migraine days and VAS score were observed in the treatment group when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Nimodipine plus Yufeng Ningxin tablets were superior to Flunarizine in terms of the response rate at week 7 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Due to its high cure rate, treatment with Nimodipine plus Yufeng Ningxin tablets is recommended to control frequent migraine, and this hypothesis needs to be confirmed through further studies conducted on a more extensive population.

Potential Skin Regeneration Activity and Chemical Composition of Absolute from Pueraria thunbergiana Flower

The flower of Pueraria thunbergiana BENTH (PTBF) contains isoflavonoids and essential oil components. It has many biological and pharmacological activities, including anti-diabetes, anti-oxidant, and weight loss. However, its effect on skin regeneration remains unknown. In the present study, we isolated the absolute from PTBF through solvent extraction and determined the role of the absolute on skin regeneration-associated responses in human epidermal-keratinocytes (HaCats). The PTBF absolute, which contained 10 compounds, stimulated migration and proliferation and increased the phosphorylation of serine/threonine-specific protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 in HaCats. It induced type I and IV collagen synthesis in HaCats. In addition, treatment with PTBF absolute resulted in increased sprout outgrowth in HaCats. These findings suggest that PTBF absolute may participate in skin regeneration, probably through promotion of migration, proliferation, and collagen synthesis.

Assessing cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and otoprotection in whole organ culture of the mouse inner ear in simulated microgravity

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug. Ototoxicity is a major dose-limiting side-effect. A reproducible mammalian in-vitro model of cisplatin ototoxicity is required to screen and validate otoprotective drug candidates. We utilized a whole organ culture system of the postnatal mouse inner ear in a rotating wall vessel bioreactor under "simulated microgravity" culture conditions. As previously described this system allows whole organ culture of the inner ear and quantitative assessment of ototoxic effects of aminoglycoside induced hair cell loss. Here we demonstrate that this model is also applicable to the assessment of cisplatin induced ototoxicity. In this model cisplatin induced hair cell loss was dose and time dependent. Increasing exposure time of cisplatin led to decreasing EC50 concentrations. Outer hair cells were more susceptible than inner hair cells, and hair cells in the cochlear base were more susceptible than hair cells in the cochlear apex. Initial cisplatin dose determined the final extent of hair cell loss irrespective if the drug was withdrawn or continued. Dose dependant otoprotection was demonstrated by co-administration of the antioxidant agent N-acetyl l-cysteine. The results support the use of this inner ear organ culture system as an in vitro assay and validation platform for inner ear toxicology and the search for otoprotective compounds.