Pharmacological interventions targeting the microcirculation following traumatic spinal cord injury

Guhan Yangsheng Jing mitigates oxidative stress and ferroptosis to improve reproductive damage in Diabetic Male Rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, reproductive injury is primarily associated with kidney essence deficiency, with the kidney being the affected organ. Guhan Yangshengjing (GHYSJ) is a traditional Chinese patent medicine, its main ingredients of GHYSJ, such as Polygonatum sibiricum Redouté, Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., and Lycium barbarum L. are believed to have significant kidney-tonifying effects, which can improve reproductive damage.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the protective effects of GHYSJ, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, on diabetes-induced male reproductive damage.

METHODS

In this study, we employed LC/Q-TOF-MS to analyze the active components of GHYSJ. A diabetic rat model was established using a high-sugar high-fat (HSHF) diet in combination with streptozotocin (STZ). Sperm quality and motility were assessed, and testicular morphology and sex hormones (testosterone [T], follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], and luteinizing hormone [LH]) levels were examined to evaluate the impact of diabetes on reproductive function. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying GHYSJ's protective effects against diabetes-induced reproductive damage. Additionally, we used ELISA, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot to measure the expression levels of oxidative stress and ferroptosis-related markers, including oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO), ferrous ion (Fe2+), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and cystine/glutamate antiporter (xCT).

RESULTS

Diabetic rats induced by a HSHF diet combined with STZ exhibited decreased sperm count, reduced sperm motility, and disrupted sex hormone secretion. GHYSJ intervention significantly reduced ROS levels and MDA accumulation in testicular tissue while enhancing SOD activity, thereby effectively alleviating oxidative damage. Additionally, GHYSJ modulated the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway associated with oxidative stress, restoring testicular antioxidant capacity. This was evidenced by increased GSH levels, upregulated expression of antioxidant proteins (GPX4, xCT), decreased Fe2+ content, and reduced LPO levels. These effects collectively inhibited ferroptosis in testicular tissue of diabetic rats, leading to improved reproductive function.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that GHYSJ exerts significant protective effects against diabetes-induced male reproductive damage by modulating oxidative stress and ferroptosis pathways. GHYSJ's ability to enhance antioxidant defenses and inhibit ferroptosis highlights its potential as a therapeutic agent for managing reproductive dysfunction in diabetic males.

Genetically Programmed Single-Component Protein Hydrogel for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

Protein self-assembly allows for the formation of diverse supramolecular materials from relatively simple building blocks. In this study, a single-component self-assembling hydrogel is developed using the recombinant protein CsgA, and its successful application for spinal cord injury repair is demonstrated. Gelation is achieved by the physical entanglement of CsgA nanofibrils, resulting in a self-supporting hydrogel at low concentrations (≥5 mg mL-1). By leveraging the programmability of the CsgA gene sequence, the bioactive hydrogel is enhanced by fusing functional peptide GHK. GHK is recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotrophic factor-stimulating properties, making it a valuable addition to the hydrogel for spinal cord injury repair applications. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the CsgA-GHK hydrogel can modulate microglial M2 polarization, promote neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells, and inhibit astrocyte differentiation. Additionally, the hydrogel shows efficacy in alleviating inflammation and promotes neuronal regeneration at the injury site, leading to significant functional recovery in a rat model with compression injury spinal cord cavity. These findings lay the groundwork for developing a modular design platform for recombinant CsgA protein hydrogels in tissue repair applications.

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Mesoporous Hollow Cerium Oxide Nanozyme-Based Hydrogel Synergizes with Neural Stem Cell for Spinal Cord Injury Repair

Neural stem cell (NSCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury (SCI), but its efficacy is greatly limited by the local inhibitory microenvironment. In this study, based on l-arginine (l-Arg)-loaded mesoporous hollow cerium oxide (AhCeO2) nanospheres, we constructed an injectable composite hydrogel (AhCeO2-Gel) with microenvironment modulation capability. AhCeO2-Gel protected NSCs from oxidative damage by eliminating excess reactive oxygen species while continuously delivering Nitric Oxide to the lesion of SCI in a pathological microenvironment, the latter of which effectively promoted the neural differentiation of NSCs. The process was confirmed to be closely related to the up-regulation of the cAMP-PKA pathway after NO-induced calcium ion influx. In addition, AhCeO2-Gel significantly promoted the polarization of microglia toward the M2 subtype as well as enhanced the regeneration of spinal nerves and myelinated axons. The prepared bioactive hydrogel system also efficiently facilitated the integration of transplanted NSCs with host neural circuits, replenished damaged neurons, alleviated neuroinflammation, and inhibited glial scar formation, thus significantly accelerating the recovery of motor function in SCI rats. Therefore, AhCeO2-Gel synergized with NSCs transplantation has great potential as an integrated therapeutic strategy to treat SCI by comprehensively reversing the inhibitory microenvironment.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (eSWT) in Spinal Cord Injury-A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

Injury of the spinal cord causes motor and sensory dysfunction as well as pathological reflexes, leading to paraplegia or tetraplegia. The sequelae of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) are a significant burden and impact on healthcare systems. Despite constant progress in medicine, traumatic SCI still remains irreversible. To date, no satisfying treatment that can enable neuronal regeneration and recovery of function at the damaged level has been found. Hundreds of experiments have been conducted on various possibilities of influencing spinal regeneration; some of them have yielded promising results, but unfortunately, the successes obtained in experimental animals have not translated into humans.

METHODS

This narrative review article presents the application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (eSWT) in patients with SCI. The article has been divided into parts: 1) use of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for regeneration of the spinal cord after traumatic spinal cord injury; 2) application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in spasticity after spinal cord injury. In both cases, the hypotheses of possible mechanisms of action will be described.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

A small number of clinical trials have demonstrated the potential of eSWT to influence the regeneration of the spine, as an innovative, safe, and cost-effective treatment option for patients with SCI. Some reports have shown that eSWT can improve spasticity, walking ability, urological function, quality of life, and independence in daily life.

Ginsenoside-Rh2 Promotes Functional Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury by Enhancing TFEB-Mediated Autophagy

Background: Following spinal cord injury (SCI), autophagy plays a positive role in neuronal protection, whereas pyroptosis triggers an inflammatory response. Ginsenoside-Rh2 (GRh2), known for its neuroprotective effects, is considered a promising drug. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying these protective effects remain unclear. Aim of the Study: Explore the therapeutic value of GRh2 in SCI and its potential mechanisms of action. Materials and Methods: An SCI mouse model was established, followed by random grouping and drug treatments under different conditions. Subsequently, the functional recovery of SCI mice after GRh2 treatment was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Nissl staining, footprint analysis, Basso Mouse Scale scoring, and inclined plane tests. The expression levels of relevant indicators in the mice were detected using Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Network pharmacology analysis was used to identify the relevant signaling pathways through which GRh2 exerts its therapeutic effects. Results: GRh2 promoted functional recovery after SCI. GRh2 significantly inhibits pyroptosis by enhancing autophagy in SCI mice. Simultaneously, the neuroprotective effect of GRh2, achieved through the inhibition of pyroptosis, is partially reversed by 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. Additionally, the increase in autophagy induced by GRh2 is mediated by the promotion of transcription factor EB (TFEB) nuclear translocation and dephosphorylation. Partial attenuation of the protective effects of GRh2 was observed after TFEB knockdown. Additionally, GRh2 can modulate the activity of TFEB in mice post-SCI through the EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway, and NSC228155 (an EGFR activator) can partially reverse the effect of GRh2 on the EGFR-MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions: GRh2 improves functional recovery after SCI by upregulating TFEB-mediated autophagic flux and inhibiting pyroptosis, indicating its potential clinical applicability.

Identification of marker genes for spinal cord injury

Introduction

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a profoundly disabling and devastating neurological condition, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. It imposes unbearable psychological and economic pressure on both patients and their families, as well as placing a heavy burden on society.

Methods

In this study, we integrated datasets GSE5296 and GSE47681 as training groups, analyzed gene variances between sham group and SCI group mice, and conducted Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis based on the differentially expressed genes. Subsequently, we performed Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) and Lasso regression analyses.

Results

We identified four characteristic disease genes: Icam1, Ch25h, Plaur and Tm4sf1. We examined the relationship between SCI and immune cells, and validated the expression of the identified disease-related genes in SCI rats using PCR and immunohistochemistry experiments.

Discussion

In conclusion, we have identified and verified four genes related to SCI: Icam1, Ch25h, Plaur and Tm4sf1, which could offer insights for SCI treatment.