Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effects of Cm-02 and Ck-02

Effects of Tibetan Sheep-Derived Compound Probiotics on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Intestinal Tissue Morphology, and Intestinal Microbiota in Mice

Probiotics play an important role in animal growth, immunity, and gut microbial balance and are now widely used in agriculture, food, and medicine. This study analysed the effects of different concentrations of Tibetan sheep compound probiotics on the immunity, tissue morphology, and intestinal microbiota of mice using histological, molecular, and 16S rRNA techniques. The results showed that the composite probiotics sourced from Tibetan sheep improved the growth performance of mice, increased the length of small intestinal villi and mucosal thickness, and enhanced the intestinal barrier function of mice. DZ-L and DZ-M significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-1 mRNA. They also up-regulated IL-10 and TNF-β, and down-regulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8. The immune function of mice was enhanced, with DZ-M treatment having an extremely significant effect, while the effect of DZ-H treatment was slightly lower compared to DZ-L and DZ-M. In addition, the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota were modulated, and at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was higher in the DZ-M group, the relative abundance of Desulfobacterota, Actinobacteriota, and Patescibacteria was reduced in the probiotic complex group, and the relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiota was higher. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Muribaculaceae was higher in the DZ-L and DZ-M groups, and the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group in the DZ-H group; and the relative abundance of Bacteroides and Roseburia in the composite probiotic group. This study can improve the reference for the development of new green feed additives instead of antibiotics, which will also further promote the development of the livestock industry.

Design, synthesis of benzimidazole tethered 3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[e] [1, 3] oxazines as anticancer agents

A series of novel 3-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[e][1,3] oxazine analogues synthesized through a two-step synthetic protocol. The structure of the compounds were established by interpretation 1H NMR, 13C NMR and Mass spectral data recorded after purification. All the title compounds 4a-k were screened for their in vitro anti-cancer activity against two breast cancer cell lines MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231 by using Doxorubicin as standard reference. Compound 4e displayed superior activity against both the cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with IC50 values of 8.60 ± 0.75 and 6.30 ± 0.54 µM respectively, compared to the Doxorubicin IC50 value of 9.11 ± 0.54 and 8.47 ± 0.47 µM. Compound 4i also indicated good activity with IC50 value of 9.85 ± 0.69 μM on par with Doxorubicin against MCF-7 cells. Compound 4g demonstrated best activity on par with standard reference to IC50 value of 8.52 ± 0.62 μM against MDA-MB-231 cell line. And all other compounds demonstrated good to moderate activity compared to Doxorubicin. Docking studies against EGFR showed that all the compounds have very good binding affinities towards the target. The predicted drug-likeness properties of all compounds enable them to be used as therapeutic agents.

IRF1 governs the expression of SMARCC1 via the GCN5-SETD2 axis and actively engages in the advancement of osteoarthritis

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone. Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the immune system and can be found in various tissues, including joints. Research on the relationship between OA and macrophages is essential to understand the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of OA.

Objective

This study was performed to analyze the functions of the IRF1-GCN5-SETD2-SMARCC1 axis in osteoarthritis (OA) development.

Methods

A single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset, was subjected to a comprehensive analysis aiming to identify potential regulators implicated in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). In order to investigate the role of IRF1 and SMARCC1, knockdown experiments were conducted in both OA-induced rats and interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated chondrocytes, followed by the assessment of OA-like symptoms, secretion of inflammatory cytokines, and polarization of macrophages. Furthermore, the study delved into the identification of aberrant epigenetic modifications and functional enzymes responsible for the regulation of SMARCC1 by IRF1. To evaluate the clinical significance of the factors under scrutiny, a cohort comprising 13 patients diagnosed with OA and 7 fracture patients without OA was included in the analysis.

Results

IRF1 was found to exert regulatory control over the expression of SMARCC1, thus playing a significant role in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). The knockdown of either IRF1 or SMARCC1 disrupted the pro-inflammatory effects induced by IL-1β in chondrocytes, leading to a mitigation of OA-like symptoms, including inflammatory infiltration, cartilage degradation, and tissue injury, in rat models. Additionally, this intervention resulted in a reduction in the predominance of M1 macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. Significant epigenetic modifications, such as abundant H3K27ac and H3K4me3 marks, were observed near the SMARCC1 promoter and 10 kb upstream region. These modifications were attributed to the recruitment of GCN5 and SETD2, which are functional enzymes responsible for these modifications. Remarkably, the overexpression of either GCN5 or SETD2 restored SMARCC1 expression in rat cartilages or chondrocytes, consequently exacerbating the OA-like symptoms.

Conclusion

This research postulates that the transcriptional activity of SMARCC1 can be influenced by IRF1 through the recruitment of GCN5 and SETD2, consequently regulating the H3K27ac and H3K4me3 modifications in close proximity to the SMARCC1 promoter and 10 kb upstream region. These modifications, in turn, facilitate the M1 skewing of macrophages and contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

The Translational Potential of this Article

The study demonstrated that the regulation of SMARCC1 by IRF1 plays a crucial role in the development of OA. Knocking down either IRF1 or SMARCC1 disrupted the pro-inflammatory effects induced by IL-1β in chondrocytes, leading to a mitigation of OA-like symptoms in rat models. These symptoms included inflammatory infiltration, cartilage degradation, and tissue injury. These findings suggest that targeting the IRF1-SMARCC1 regulatory axis, as well as the associated epigenetic modifications, could potentially be a novel approach in the development of OA therapies, offering new opportunities for disease management and improved patient outcomes.

Therapeutic Nanodiamonds Containing Icariin Ameliorate the Progression of Osteoarthritis in Rats

In present study, icariin (ICA)/tannic acid (TA)-nanodiamonds (NDs) were prepared as follows. ICA was anchored to ND surfaces with absorbed TA (ICA/TA-NDs) and we evaluated their in vitro anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages and in vivo cartilage protective effects on a rat model of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis (OA). The ICA/TA-NDs showed prolonged release of ICA from the NDs for up to 28 days in a sustained manner. ICA/TA-NDs inhibited the mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory elements, including matrix metalloproteinases-3 (MMP-3), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and increased the mRNA levels of anti-inflammatory factors (i.e., IL-4 and IL-10) in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Animal studies exhibited that intra-articular injection of ICA/TA-NDs notably suppressed levels of IL-6, MMP-3, and TNF-α and induced level of IL-10 in serum of MIA-induced OA rat models in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, these noticeable anti-inflammatory effects of ICA/TA-NDs remarkably contributed to the protection of the progression of MIA-induced OA and cartilage degradation, as exhibited by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), gross findings, and histological investigations. Accordingly, in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that the prolonged ICA delivery of ICA/TA-NDs possesses an excellent latent to improve inflammation as well as defend against cartilage disorder in OA.

Recent Advances in Small Molecule Inhibitors for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis refers to a degenerative disease with joint pain as the main symptom, and it is caused by various factors, including fibrosis, chapping, ulcers, and loss of articular cartilage. Traditional treatments can only delay the progression of osteoarthritis, and patients may need joint replacement eventually. As a class of organic compound molecules weighing less than 1000 daltons, small molecule inhibitors can target proteins as the main components of most drugs clinically. Small molecule inhibitors for osteoarthritis are under constant research. In this regard, by reviewing relevant manuscripts, small molecule inhibitors targeting MMPs, ADAMTS, IL-1, TNF, WNT, NF-κB, and other proteins were reviewed. We summarized these small molecule inhibitors with different targets and discussed disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs based on them. These small molecule inhibitors have good inhibitory effects on osteoarthritis, and this review will provide a reference for the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Connection between Osteoarthritis and Nitric Oxide: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Target

Osteoarthritis (OA), a disabling joint inflammatory disease, is characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, and chronic synovitis. Due to the prolongation of the human lifespan, OA has become a serious public health problem that deserves wide attention. The development of OA is related to numerous factors. Among the factors, nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in mediating this process. NO is a small gaseous molecule that is widely distributed in the human body, and its synthesis is dependent on NO synthase (NOS). NO plays an important role in various physiological processes such as the regulation of blood volume and nerve conduction. Notably, NO acts as a double-edged sword in inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that NO and its redox derivatives might be closely related to both normal and pathophysiological joint conditions. They can play vital roles as normal bone cell-conditioning agents for osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Moreover, they can also induce cartilage catabolism and cell apoptosis. Based on different conditions, the NO/NOS system can act as an anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory agent for OA. This review summarizes the studies related to the effects of NO on all normal and OA joints as well as the possible new treatment strategies targeting the NO/NOS system.

Anti-Inflammatory and Chondro-Protective Effects of Acidic Polysaccharide from Enteromorpha Prolifera in Experimental Models of Osteoarthritis In-Vitro and In-Vivo

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) progression has been shown to increase the expression of inflammatory cytokines in joints, leading to the destruction of cartilage matrix. Interleukin (IL)-1β is a potent inflammatory cytokine associated with osteoarthritic synovial fluid. The protective effects of polysaccharides from Enteromorpha prolifera against acute hepatic injury was reported.

DESIGN

In this study, we examined the effects of Enteromorpha polysaccharide extracts (EPEs) in the treatment of OA. The effects of the EPEs were assessed using an IL-1β-stimulated SW1353 and SW982 cells. The expression levels of specific mRNA and proteins were evaluated using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (sqRT-PCR) and western immunoblotting. An OA animal study involving C57BL/6J mice was also conducted to assess the effects on tactile sensitivity and anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT).

RESULTS

Acidic polysaccharide extract (APE) was shown to significantly reduce cytokine and chemokine mRNA levels in IL-1β-stimulated SW1353 and SW982 cells and attenuate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and p38/AP-1 in SW1353 cells. APE was also shown to minimize the effect of osteolytic lesions in the knee joints of ACLT-induced osteoarthritic mice.

CONCLUSIONS

APE is a potent inhibitor of joint degeneration associated with OA.

Copper Catalyzed Inverse Electron Demand [4+2] Cycloaddition for the Synthesis of Oxazines

A copper catalyzed tandem CuAAC/ring cleavage/[4+2] annulation reaction of terminal ynones, sulfonyl azides, and imines has been developed to synthesize the functionalized oxazines under mild conditions. Particularly, the intermediate N-sulfonyl acylketenimines undergo cycloaddition of an inverse electron demand Diels–Alder reaction with imines and a series of 1,3-oxazine derivatives were obtained successfully in good yields.

Cartilage tissue engineering: From proinflammatory and anti‑inflammatory cytokines to osteoarthritis treatments (Review)

Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common joint diseases, is characterized by fibrosis, rhagadia, ulcers and attrition of articular cartilage due to a number of factors. The etiology of OA remains unclear, but its occurrence has been associated with age, obesity, inflammation, trauma and genetic factors. Inflammatory cytokines are crucial for the occurrence and progression of OA. The intra-articular proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines jointly maintain a dynamic balance, in accordance with the physiological metabolism of articular cartilage. However, dynamic imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines can cause abnormal metabolism in knee articular cartilage, which leads to deformation, loss and abnormal regeneration, and ultimately destroys the normal structure of the knee joint. The ability of articular cartilage to self-repair once damaged is limited, due to its inability to obtain nutrients from blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels, as well as limitations in the extracellular matrix. There are several disadvantages inherent to conventional repair methods, while cartilage tissue engineering (CTE), which combines proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, offers a new therapeutic approach for OA. The aim of the present review was to examine the proinflammatory factors implicated in OA, including IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17 and IL-18, as well as the key anti-inflammatory factors reducing OA-related articular damage, including IL-4, insulin-like growth factor and TGF-β. The predominance of proinflammatory over anti-inflammatory cytokine effects ultimately leads to the development of OA. CTE, which employs mesenchymal stem cells and scaffolding technology, may prevent OA by maintaining the homeostasis of pro- and anti-inflammatory factors.