The role of MLC901 in reducing VEGF as a vascular permeability marker in rats with spinal cord injury

Effects of Moleac 901 after severe spinal cord injury on chronic phase in Wistar rats

Background

MLC901 is a phytopharmaceutical comprising significant compounds that can induce microenvironments conducive to the proliferation and specialization of neural cell progenitors. This study investigates the impact of administering MLC901, reducing the expression of NG2 and caspase-3 and increasing IL-10 levels, as well as histopathological and motor function, after severe spinal cord injury (SCI) in the chronic phase.

Methods

The study employed a randomized post-test-only control group design conducted between February and April 2023 at the Integrated Biomedical Laboratory. The participants in this study were categorized into three distinct groups: normal control, negative control, and therapy. A cohort of 18 rats was utilized for the study, with each group assigned a random allocation of six rats as subjects.

Results

The findings demonstrated a statistically significant disparity in the average NG2 expression (-52.00 ± 20.03; p ≤ 0.05), as well as Caspase-3 expression (-94.89 ± 8.57; p ≤ 0.05), which exhibited a lower magnitude. The levels of IL-10 (8.96 ± 3.98; p ≤ 0.05) were observed to be higher, along with an elevation in BBB score (7.67 ± 0.89; p ≤ 0.05), which was more pronounced in the treatment group compared to the negative control group. The cut-off point for cavitation diameter is determined to be 114.915 μm, exhibiting a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The area under curve (AUC) value is 1.0. The administration of MLC901 demonstrated a strong positive correlation with the increase in IL-10 levels (B 8.968; p ≤ 0.05), as well as a substantial negative correlation with the decrease in Caspase-3 expression (B -52.000; p ≤ 0.05) and NG2 expression (B -94.892; p ≤ 0.05). The administration of MLC901 via the upregulation of NG2 and Caspase-3 significantly increased the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores.

Conclusions

MLC901 positively affects motor and histopathological outcomes in the chronic phase of severe SCI in the Wistar rat model. These benefits are believed to be achieved by suppressing gliosis, neuroapoptosis, and neuroinflammation processes.

Facilitation of neurological recovery in a complete spinal cord injury with NeuroAiD: case report

INTRODUCTION

NeuroAiD (MLC601 & MLC901)'s neuroprotective capabilities include limiting exaggerated calcium influx, decreasing excitotoxicity, reducing oxidative stress, and preventing glutamate-induced cell death. It has also been shown to facilitate synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, and neuroplasticity. However, its clinical efficacy has primarily been studied in the context of brain injuries, particularly stroke. NeuroAiD's potential application in SCI remains largely untapped.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 34-year-old male presented with C4 complete tetraplegia. Following surgical decompression and initial inpatient rehabilitation, he started consuming MLC901 two capsules three times daily at month 4 post injury for 6 months. He regained considerable neurological recovery following the supplementation. Apart from the improvement in the neurological level of injury, the patient exhibited motor recovery beyond the initial zone of partial preservation up to 24 months post injury.

DISCUSSION

Our findings align with a recent animal study demonstrating MLC901's potential to downregulate Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), a molecule known to increase vascular permeability and exacerbate tissue edema and infarction. In another animal study involving stroke-affected mice, MLC901 demonstrates the ability to promote neurological recovery by regulating the expression of proteins mediating angiogenesis, such as hypoxic inducible factor 1α, erythropoietin, angiopoietins 1 and 2, as well as VEGF. The anecdotal findings from this case report offer preliminary insights into NeuroAiD's potential in facilitating recovery during post-acute and chronic phases of severe SCI, necessitating further exploration.

Serum BMP-2 and osteocalcin levels, and CT Hounsfield unit post hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with cleft lip and palate post alveolar bone graft: A case study

Background

This study investigated the levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), osteocalcin, and 3D CT Hounsfield units following hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) undergoing alveolar bone grafts to provide a pilot evaluation of the role of HBOT in osteogenesis.

Methods

This prospective, quasi-experimental, pre-post-intervention study evaluated seven patients with CLP receiving HBOT after single-stage reconstructions with alveolar bone grafts. The outcomes included the serum levels of BMP-2 and osteocalcin and the 3D CT Hounsfield units obtained before and after the surgery, and after the five HBOT sessions, to a total of 12 measurements. The data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models using the intervention stage (pre-surgery, pre-HBOT, first to fifth HBOT sessions) as covariates and adjusting for several baseline factors.

Results

A significant difference was found in outcome measures across time (ANOVA p < 0.001 for BMP-2 and osteocalcin, p = 0.01 for Hounsfield units), with mean values appearing to steadily increase once HBOT began. Regression analyses indicated that the effect of HBOT was evident in serum osteocalcin after the 1st HBOT session (adjusted b = 1.32; 95% CI 0.39, 2.25) and in serum BMP-2 after the third session (adjusted b = 6.61; 95% CI 1.93, 11.28). After the fifth session, the HBOT effect was fairly pronounced on the two outcomes: the adjusted increase compared to the baseline was 28.06 ng/mL for BMP-2 and 6.27 ng/mL for osteocalcin. Our mixed-effect models also showed a post-HBOT increase in Hounsfield units.

Conclusion

We found an increase of BMP-2, osteocalcin, and Hounsfield units following the HBOT intervention. These may suggest an effect of HBOT on osteogenesis.

Ginsenoside Rb1 improves energy metabolism after spinal cord injury

Mitochondrial damage caused by oxidative stress and energy deficiency induced by focal ischemia and hypoxia are important factors that aggravate diseases. Studies have shown that ginsenoside Rb1 has neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects. However, whether it influences energy metabolism after spinal cord injury remains unclear. In this study, we treated mouse and cell models of spinal cord injury with ginsenoside Rb1. We found that ginsenoside Rb1 remarkably inhibited neuronal oxidative stress, protected mitochondria, promoted neuronal metabolic reprogramming, increased glycolytic activity and ATP production, and promoted the survival of motor neurons in the anterior horn and the recovery of motor function in the hind limb. Because sirtuin 3 regulates glycolysis and oxidative stress, mouse and cell models of spinal cord injury were treated with the sirtuin 3 inhibitor 3-TYP. When Sirt3 expression was suppressed, we found that the therapeutic effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on spinal cord injury were remarkably inhibited. Therefore, ginsenoside Rb1 is considered a potential drug for the treatment of spinal cord injury, and its therapeutic effects are closely related to sirtuin 3.