RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effects of microRNA-21 on Nerve Cell Regeneration and Neural Function Recovery in Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Cerebral Infarction Rats by Targeting PDCD4

Evidence-Based Anti-Diabetic Properties of Plant from the Occitan Valleys of the Piedmont Alps

Data on urban and rural diabetes prevalence ratios show a significantly lower presence of diabetes in rural areas. Several bioactive compounds of plant origin are known to exert anti-diabetic properties. Interestingly, most of them naturally occur in different plants present in mountainous areas and are linked to traditions of herbal use. This review will aim to evaluate the last 10 years of evidence-based data on the potential anti-diabetic properties of 9 plants used in the Piedmont Alps (North-Western Italy) and identified through an ethnobotanical approach, based on the Occitan language minority of the Cuneo province (Sambucus nigra L., Achillea millefolium L., Cornus mas L., Vaccinium myrtillus L., Fragaria vesca L., Rosa canina L., Rubus idaeus L., Rubus fruticosus/ulmifolius L., Urtica dioica L.), where there is a long history of herbal remedies. The mechanism underlying the anti-hyperglycemic effects and the clinical evidence available are discussed. Overall, this review points to the possible use of these plants as preventive or add-on therapy in treating diabetes. However, studies of a single variety grown in the geographical area, with strict standardization and titration of all the active ingredients, are warranted before applying the WHO strategy 2014-2023.

Protective Effects of PPARγ on Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Regulating miR-21

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) is a common pathological process that causes kidney injury. Previous studies have indicated that both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and microRNA-21 (miR-21) exert protective effects against RIRI. However, their relationship is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of the PPARγ/miR-21/programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) axis in IRI, both in vivo and in vitro. In vitro cell hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and in vivo RIRI models were established, and cell viability, cell apoptosis, and key molecule expression profiles were analyzed. Our results showed that both PPARγ and miR-21 had protective effects against RIRI to varying degrees, and there was an interaction between PPARγ and miR-21. PPARγ could promote the expression of miR-21 and partially protect against RIRI by reducing the level of the miR-21 target protein (PDCD4). Our findings underscore the potential utility of future clinical investigations of PPARγ activation and targeting of the underlying miR-21/PDCD4/caspase-3 pathway, which may participate in the pathogenesis of human IRI.

MiR-21 participates in the neuroprotection of diazoxide against hypoxic-ischemia encephalopathy by targeting PDCD4

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of neonatal death and permanent neurological disability. Here, we designed to quest therapeutic effects of diazoxide (DZ) on HIE and its mechanism.

METHODS

The cell model of HIE was established. CCK8 and flow cytometry were applied to test cell viability and apoptosis. RT-qPCR and western blotting was evaluated to the expression of miR-21, PDCD4, PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT. Commercial kits were employed to detect SOD, MDA, LDH. DCFH-DA was used to measure intracellular ROS. ELISA was performed to estimate IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RIP assay were applied to confirm the binding relationships between miR-21 and PDCD4.

RESULTS

In H19-7 cells and PC12 cells stimulated by OGD, with low cell viability, high apoptosis, miR-21 high expression and PDCD4 low expression. However, the functions were all reversed by DZ administration. Furthermore, miR-21 inhibitor could abolish the beneficial effects of DZ on OGD-induced cells. Besides, miR-21 could interact with PDCD4. In addition, PDCD4 involved with the regulation of DZ to OGD-induced cells via PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION

DZ enhanced miR-21 level and inhibited PDCD4 level via PI3K/AKT pathway to resisted HIE.

Extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells alleviate neuroinflammation after diabetic intracerebral hemorrhage via the miR-183-5p/PDCD4/NLRP3 pathway

OBJECTIVES

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) induced by diabetes results in further brain injury and nerve cell death. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation contributes to attenuating neurological deficits after ICH. This study investigated the mechanism of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from BMSCs in reducing neuroinflammation after diabetic ICH.

METHODS

BMSC-EVs were isolated and identified. The rat model of db/db-ICH was established and the model rats were administered with EVs. miR-183-5p expression in brain tissues of db/db-ICH rats was detected. The brain injury of db/db-ICH rats was evaluated by measuring neurobehavioral score, brain water content and inflammatory factors. BV2 cells were cultured in vitro to establish high-glucose (HG)-Hemin-BV2 cell model. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory factors in BV2 cells were measured, and BV2 cell viability and apoptosis were assessed. The targeting relationship between miR-183-5p and PDCD4 was predicted and verified. The activation of PDCD4/NLRP3 pathway in rat brain tissues and BV2 cells was detected.

RESULTS

miR-183-5p expression was reduced in db/db-ICH rats brain tissues. BMSC-EVs ameliorated cranial nerve function, decreased brain water content and repressed inflammatory response by carrying miR-183-5p. BMSC-EVs mitigated HG-Hemin-BV2 cell injury, reduced ROS level and suppressed inflammatory response. miR-183-5p targeted PDCD4. PDCD4 promoted BV2 cell inflammation by activating the NLRP3 pathway. BMSC-EVs inhibited HG-Hemin-BV2 cell inflammation through the miR-183-5p/PDCD4/NLRP3 pathway, and inhibition of miR-183-5p reversed the protective effect of EVs.

CONCLUSION

BMSC-EVs carried miR-183-5p into db/db-ICH rat brain tissues and repressed the NLRP3 pathway by targeting PDCD4, thus alleviating neuroinflammation after diabetic ICH.

MicroRNA-424 alleviates neurocyte injury by targeting PDCD4 in a cellular model of cerebral ischemic stroke

Cerebral ischemic stroke is the primary cause of stroke-associated mortality and disability, and current therapeutic options are limited and ineffective. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of apoptotic therapy and the role of microRNA (miR)-424 in cerebral ischemic stroke. PC12 cells, a cloned cell line from rat adrenal pheochromocytoma, were treated with CoCl₂ to construct a cellular ischemia model. mRNA and protein levels of programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3, PI3K and AKT were evaluated using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blot analyses, respectively. Cell Counting Kit-8 assays were performed to examine cell viability in the ischemia model. Flow cytometry was conducted to evaluate the apoptosis of ischemic cells. Furthermore, a luciferase assay was performed to verify the target gene of miR-424. It was revealed that the expression level of miR-424 was downregulated in the ischemia model, while the expression of PDCD4 was upregulated. Moreover, the expression of miR-424 was increased after treatment with miR-424 mimics. The mRNA and protein expression of PDCD4 was upregulated after transfection with pcDNA3.1-PDCD4. PDCD4 was predicted and demonstrated to be a target of miR-424. Notably, overexpression of miR-424 increased cell viability and inhibited apoptosis in the ischemia model, which was reversed by co-treatment with pcDNA3.1-PDCD4. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-424 regulated the expression of PDCD4, Bax, Bcl-2, phosphorylated-PI3K/AKT and caspase-3, which was restored after co-transfection with pcDNA3.1-PDCD4. Collectively, the results indicated that miR-424 regulated the progression of cerebral ischemic stroke in a cellular model by targeting PDCD4.

Osteogenic effects of microRNA-335-5p/lipidoid nanoparticles coated on titanium surface

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of miR-335-5p lipidoid nanocomplexes coated on Titanium (Ti) SLActive surface by lyophilization.

DESIGN

In our model, we coated miR-335-5p/Lipidoid nanoparticles on titanium implant, seeded GFP-labelled mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) onto the functionalized Ti implant surface, and analyzed the transfection efficiency, cell adhesion, proliferation, and osteogenic activity of the bone-implant interface.

RESULTS

The Ti SLActive surface displayed a suitable hydrophilicity ability and provided a large surface area for miRNA loading, enabling spatial retention of the miRNAs within the nanopores until cellular delivery. We demonstrated a high transfection efficiency of miR-335-5p lipidoid nanoparticles in BMSCs seeded onto the Ti SLActive surface, even after 14 days. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and cell vitality were significantly increased in BMSCs transfected with miR-335-5p at 7 and 14 days as opposed to cells transfected with negative controls. When miR-335-5p transfected BMSCs were induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation, we detected increased mRNA expression of osteogenic markers including Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen I (COL1), osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) at 7 and 14 days as compared with negative controls.

CONCLUSION

MiR-335-5p lipidoid nanoparticles could be used as a new cost-effective methodology to increase the osteogenic capacity of biomedical Ti implants.

MicroRNA124 and microRNA21-5p regulate migration, proliferation and differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that can be a useful source of cells for the treatment of many diseases, including neurologic diseases. The curative effect of MSCs relies mostly on cell’s capacity of migration, proliferation and differentiation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles on regulating various cell behaviors. Here, we report that miRNA-124 (miR124) and miRNA-21-5p (miR21-5p) display different regulatory roles on migration, proliferation and neuron differentiation of MSCs. MiR124 was shown greatly promoting MSCs migration and neuronal differentiation. MiR21-5p could significantly enhance the proliferation and neuronal differentiation ability of MSCs. MiR124 and miR21-5p synergistically promote differentiation of MSCs into neurons. Collectively, miR124 and miR21-5p can functionally regulate cell migration, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of MSCs. Therefore, miR124 and miR21-5p may be promising tools to improve transplantation efficiency for neural injury.

Exosomal miR-21 secreted by IL-1β-primed-mesenchymal stem cells induces macrophage M2 polarization and ameliorates sepsis

Sepsis occurs due to a damaging host response to infection and is the chief cause of death in most intensive care units. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory properties and can modulate key cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems through various effector mechanisms, such as exosomes. Exosomes and their microRNA (miRNA or miR) cargo including miR-21 can initiate profound phenotypic changes in the tumor microenvironment due to their intercellular communication transmitting the pleiotropic messages between different cell types, tissues, and body fluids. Here, we aimed to characterize the effect of miR-21 delivered from MSC-derived exosomes on the polarization of macrophages in a mouse sepsis model. First, we isolated exosomes from interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-pretreated murine MSCs (βMSCs) and injected them into cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) septic models. We found that βMSCs-derived exosomes could more effectively induce M2-like polarization of macrophages in vitro and in vivo. Administration of βMSCs-derived exosomes attenuated the symptoms in septic mice more effectively and increased their survival rate as compared to exosomes released by naïve MSCs. Importantly, we found that miR-21 was abundantly upregulated in MSCs upon IL-1β stimulation and packaged into exosomes. This exosomal miR-21 was transferred to macrophages, leading to M2 polarization in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic efficacy of βMSC-derived exosomes was partially lost upon miR-21 inhibition by its specific inhibitors. More specifically, we demonstrated βMSCs-derived exosomes inhibited the effects of PDCD4, the target gene of miR-21, on macrophage polarization and sepsis. In conclusion, exosomal miR-21 emerged as a key mediator of IL-1β pretreatment induced immunomodulatory properties of MSCs. The study indicated a novel basis for therapeutic application of MSCs in sepsis.

The Importance of Non-Coding RNAs in Neurodegenerative Processes of Diabetes-Related Molecular Pathways

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex condition and serious health problem, with growing occurrence of DM-associated complications occurring globally. Persistent hyperglycemia is confirmed as promoting neurovascular dysfunction leading to irreversible endothelial cell dysfunction, increased neuronal cell apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. These collaboratively and individually result in micro- and macroangiopathy as well as neuropathy demonstrated by progressive neuronal loss. Recently, major efforts have been pursued to select not only useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, but also novel therapeutic approaches. Both microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) belong to a class of non-coding RNAs identified in most of the body fluids i.e., peripheral blood, cerebrospinal fluid, brain tissue and neurons. Numerous miRNAs, lncRNAs and their target genes are able to modulate signaling pathways known to play a role in the pathophysiology of progressive neuronal dysfunction. Therefore, they pose as promising biomarkers and treatment for the vast majority of neurodegenerative disorders. This review provides an overall assessment of both miRNAs' and lncRNAs' utility in decelerating progressive nervous system impairment, including neurodegeneration in diabetic pathways.

Protective Effect of miR-340-5p against Brain Injury after Intracerebral Hemorrhage by Targeting PDCD4

OBJECTIVE

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cerebrovascular disease. Increasing evidence has documented the crucial role of microRNAs in ICH. The present study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of miR-340-5p in ICH.

METHODS

The collagenase-induced ICH rat model was established. The neurological function of rats and the cerebral water content of rat brain tissue were measured to assess the brain injury. BV-2 cells were recruited and treated by LPS to mimic ICH-induced inflammatory response. qRT-PCR was used for the measurement of miR-340-5p. The protein levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were detected using ELISA. Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the target gene.

RESULTS

Downregulation of miR-340-5p was detected in the serum of ICH patients and the brain tissues of ICH rats. Overexpression of miR-340-5p reversed the influence of ICH on the neurological function score and cerebral water content and inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β), which were induced by ICH in vivo. In in vitro study, levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were significantly enhanced in cells after LPS treatment, but these increases were eliminated by overexpression of miR-340-5p. PDCD4 was a direct target gene of miR-340-5p.

CONCLUSION

miR-340-5p protects against brain injury after ICH. miR-340-5p might exert an anti-inflammatory effect during the occurrence of ICH via targeting PDCD4.

Programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4), a novel therapy target for metabolic diseases besides cancer

Programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4) is originally described as a tumor suppressor gene that exerts antineoplastic effects by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Several investigations have probed the aberrant expression of PDCD4 with the progression of metabolic diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. It has been ascertained that PDCD4 causes glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, chronic inflammatory response, and gut flora disorders to regulate the progression of metabolic diseases. This review aims to summarize the latest researches to uncover the structure, expression regulation, and biological functions of PDCD4 and to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of the development of tumors and metabolic diseases. This review has emphasized the understanding of the PDCD4 role and to provide new ideas for the research, diagnosis, and treatment of tumors and metabolic diseases.

Protective effect of the isolated oligosaccharide from Rosa canina in STZ-treated cells through modulation of the autophagy pathway

Isolation of active components of therapeutic plants and discovering molecular mechanisms play a pivotal role in therapy of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the antidiabetic mechanism of an oligosaccharide isolated from Rosa canina (RCO) by measuring the expression of some miRNAs and their targets involved in autophagy. RCO was extracted and characterized by using HPLC and spectroscopic methods. Rin-5F cells were treated with STZ and RCO alone and in combination. The viability of the cells and the expression of miR-21, miR-22, Akt, ATG5, Beclin1, LC3A, and LC3B were analyzed using MTT assay, and qRT-PCR, respectively. Oligosaccharide fraction could improve the viability of RCO-treated cells as compared to STZ-treated cells. Further, the expression of autophagy markers was increased in RCO-treated diabetic cells compared to STZ-treated cells. The results indicated that the antidiabetic effects of the oligosaccharide components of R. canina seem to be mediated by modulation of autophagy pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Given effectiveness of an oligosaccharide fraction isolated from Rosa canina in management of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats, we have intention to scrutinize its molecular mechanism as modulation of autophagy pathway in STZ-treated Rin-5F cells. It is expected that the results paved the way to speculate novel antidiabetic strategies.

Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal microRNA-21-5p downregulates PDCD4 and ameliorates erectile dysfunction in a rat model of diabetes mellitus

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common comorbidity in males with diabetes mellitus (DM), whose pathogenesis might be induced by dysregulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs). Gene Expression Omnibus repository-based analysis identified the differentially expressed PDCD4 in DM rats. PDCD4 has also been determined as a putative gene under the regulatory control of microRNA-21-5p (miR-21-5p). This study aimed to further determine the functional role of miR-21-5p in CCSMCs in a rat model of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). CCSMCs were isolated from penile cavernous tissue and cultured in high glucose (HG) medium. The expression of miR-21-5p and/or PDCD4 was altered in CCSMCs, as directly or indirectly measured by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays. Furthermore, exosomes were isolated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transfected with miR-21-5p mimic or miR-21-5p inhibitor and co-cultured with CCSMCs. DMED rats were injected with lentivirus carrying PDCD4/siRNA-PDCD4 plasmids, or exosomes from MSCs containing miR-21-5p-agomir to explore their roles in vivo. The experimental data validated that PDCD4 was upregulated in cavernous tissue of DMED rats. miR-21-5p targeted and inhibited PDCD4. miR-21-5p was enriched in MSC-exosomes. Moreover, PDCD4 downregulation, miR-21-5p elevation or MSC-derived exosomal miR-21-5p reduced apoptosis and enhanced proliferation of CCSMCs cultured in HG medium. PDCD4 silencing or miR-21-5p-containing MSC-exosomes improved erectile function and smooth muscle density in DMED rats. Collectively, our findings suggested that MSC-derived exosomal miR-21-5p suppressed PDCD4 expression and ED in rats with DM.

Improved Therapeutic Effect of Puerarin-Encapsulated PEG-PLGA Nanoparticle on an In Vitro Cerebral Infarction Model

This study was to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of puerarin (PUE) combined with PEGylated nanoparticles on a rat cerebral infarction cell model. In this context, PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles were prepared by the thin-film hydration method, and the toxicity of PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles to brain capillary endothelial cell (BCEC) was detected by MTT. The BCEC/TF cell model was obtained by induction of BCEC cells with TNF-α. The BCEC/TF cell model was identified by immunofluorescence; the protein expression was detected by western blotting; the expression level of miR-424 in cells was measured by RT-qPCR; the targeting relationship between miR-424 and PDCD4 was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. We found that PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles prepared by the thin-film hydration method had uniform particle size, regular shape, and good stability and were not toxic to cells. The vWF was widely expressed in the cytoplasm in BCECs. The BCEC/TF cell model was obtained after TNF-α treatment, and tissue factor (TF) was widely expressed on the cell membrane of BCEC/TF cells. Furthermore, it was observed that the PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles showed better therapeutic effect on the BCEC/TF cell model than PUE. PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles and PUE inhibited the expression of PDCD4 protein by increasing the expression of miR-424 in BCEC/TF cells. In summary, the therapeutic effect of PEG-PLGA/PUE nanoparticles on the in vitro cell model of cerebral infarction is better than that of PUE. Moreover, PEG-PLGA/PUE inhibits the expression of PDCD4 protein by lowering the expression level of miR-424 in cells, thereby reducing the hazard of cerebral infarction.

miR-126 suppresses neuronal apoptosis in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation via regulating p38MAPK

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of microRNA-126 (miR-126) on neuronal apoptosis in cardiopulmonary resuscitation rats and to explore the related molecular mechanism. The expression of miR-126 in brain tissues of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation was measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The basic parameters of cardiopulmonary resuscitation were recorded by miR-126 mimic injection in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of p38 and caspase-3 protein. Furthermore, the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in rat hippocampus was detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. In order to confirm whether miR-126 takes part in the p38MAPK pathway in the hippocampus of rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the p38MAPK pathway inhibitor (SB203580) and activator (anisomycin) were added. The results showed overexpression of miR-126 could significantly increase the neurological function score and improve the pathological morphology of hippocampus in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. miR-126 overexpression also could reduce the neuronal apoptosis, p38, and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampus. Moreover, the p38MAPK and JNK expression was downregulated and ERK1/2 expression was upregulated after miR-126 mimic injection (p < 0.05). The results of inhibition of p38MAPK pathway were consistent with those of overexpression of miR-126 (p > 0.05). This study indicated miR-126 could significantly reduce neuronal apoptosis of hippocampus in rats after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, which might be involved in the regulation of p38MAPK pathway.

The Regulatory Role of Non-coding RNAs on Programmed Cell Death Four in Inflammation and Cancer

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a tumor suppressor gene implicated in many cellular functions, including transcription, translation, apoptosis, and the modulation of different signal transduction pathways. The downstream mechanisms of PDCD4 have been well-discussed, but its upstream regulators have not been systematically summarized. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are gene transcripts with no protein-coding potential but play a pivotal role in the regulation of the pathogenesis of solid tumors, cardiac injury, and inflamed tissue. In recent studies, many ncRNAs, especially microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), were found to interact with PDCD4 to manipulate its expression through transcriptional regulation and function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. For example, miR-21, as a classic oncogene, was identified as the key regulator of PDCD4 by targeting its 3′-untranslated region (UTR) to promote tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion in colon, breast, and bladder carcinoma. Therefore, we reviewed the recently emerging pleiotropic regulation of PDCD4 by ncRNAs in cancer and inflammatory disorders and aimed to shed light on the mechanisms of associated diseases, which could be conducive to the development of novel treatment strategies for PDCD4-induced diseases.

Effectiveness of Fuyuan Xingnao Decoction for patients with diabetes mellitus combined cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND

Previous study has reported that Fuyuan Xingnao Decoction (FYXND) can be utilized for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) combined cerebral infarction (CI) effectively.

METHODS

We will search from the following databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Global Health, Web of Science, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. All databases will be searched from the inception to the present without language limitation. Two independent authors will perform literature selection, information collection, and methodological quality assessment. Statistical analysis will be carried out using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

This study will provide accurate results on the effectiveness and safety of FYXND on DM and CI through primary and secondary outcomes. The primary outcome is neurological deficit. The secondary outcomes consist of fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin Alc, fasting insulin, quality of life, and adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This well-designed study will establish high quality evidence of the effectiveness and safety of FYXND for DM and CI to facilitate the clinical practice and guideline development.

Apocynin promotes neural function recovery and suppresses neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting Tlr4/NF-κB signaling pathway in a rat model of cerebral infarction

Occlusion of arteries in the brain is a common cause of cerebral infarction which induces inflammatory response and oxidative stress resulting in neuronal apoptosis and disruption of neurological function. The present study investigated the protective roles of an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, against cerebral infarction. Rat went through a surgery of middle cerebral artery occlusion and a subset of rats was treated with apocynin by intraperitoneal injection. The volume of cerebral infarction and water content were measured. Neuronal apoptosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress were assessed following middle cerebral artery occlusion and apocynin treatment. We found that apocynin significantly improved neurological function, increased forelimb placement test scores, and suppressed balance beam walk latency in rats with cerebral infarction. Histological and biochemistry analysis revealed that apocynin lead to a significant reduction in the volume of cerebral infarction as well as cerebral water content, suppressed neuronal apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Finally, we found that apocynin suppressed Tlr4/nuclear factor-k-gene binding signaling pathway that was upregulated in rats with cerebral infarction. Our results indicate that apocynin may represent a potent therapeutic strategy in alleviating neurological dysfunctions in patients with cerebral infarction.

Cantharidin inhibits melanoma cell proliferation via the miR‑21‑mediated PTEN pathway

Cantharidin (CTD) is an active component isolated from the blister beetle that has been demonstrated to exert antitumor effects on multiple types of cancer. The current study aimed to investigate whether the potential inhibitory effects of CTD exist in human melanoma cells and to assess the underlying antitumor mechanisms of CTD. Using the Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay, it was demonstrated that CTD treatment reduced A375 cell proliferation significantly in a dose‑dependent manner. The colony formation assay demonstrated that CTD treatment could decrease the number of A375 cell colonies. Using subcutaneous xenograft tumor models, it was also demonstrated that CTD retarded solid tumor growth significantly. Furthermore, CTD treatment could induce A375 cell apoptosis, as detected by Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining and western blot analysis. Notably, CTD treatment reduced microRNA (miR)‑21 expression and enhanced phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) protein expression levels in A375 cells. Furthermore, overexpressing miR‑21 in A375 cells with the miR‑21 agomir blocked the antitumor effect of CTD both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, it was demonstrated that the inhibitory effects of CTD on A375 cells may be regulated by attenuating miR‑21‑mediated PTEN suppression. Based on these observations, it was suggested that CTD be used as a novel anti‑proliferation agent of human melanoma via targeting the miR‑21‑PTEN signaling pathway.

MicroRNA-21 in the Pathogenesis of Traumatic Brain Injury

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), an abundant class of small noncoding RNA molecules, which regulate gene expression by functioning as post-transcriptional regulatory factors, have been identified as key components of traumatic brain injury (TBI) progression. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is a recently identified typical miRNA that is involved in the signaling pathways of inflammation, neuronal apoptosis, reactive gliosis, disruption of blood brain barrier, angiogenesis and recovery process induced by physical exercises in TBI. Hence, miR-21 is now considered as a potential therapeutic target of TBI. We review the correlative literature and research progress regarding the roles of miR-21 in TBI in this article.