The level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells may be associated with the occurrence and recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma

Breathing new life into tissue engineering: exploring cutting-edge vascularization strategies for skin substitutes

Tissue-engineered skin substitutes (TESS) emerged as a new therapeutic option to improve skin transplantation. However, establishing an adequate and rapid vascularization in TESS is a critical factor for their clinical application and successful engraftment in patients. Therefore, several methods have been applied to improve the vascularization of skin substitutes including (i) modifying the structural and physicochemical properties of dermal scaffolds; (ii) activating biological scaffolds with growth factor-releasing systems or gene vectors; and (iii) developing prevascularized skin substitutes by loading scaffolds with capillary-forming cells. This review provides a detailed overview of the most recent and important developments in the vascularization strategies for skin substitutes. On the one hand, we present cell-based approaches using stem cells, microvascular fragments, adipose tissue derived stromal vascular fraction, endothelial cells derived from blood and skin as well as other pro-angiogenic stimulation methods. On the other hand, we discuss how distinct 3D bioprinting techniques and microfluidics, miRNA manipulation, cell sheet engineering and photosynthetic scaffolds like GelMA, can enhance skin vascularization for clinical applications. Finally, we summarize and discuss the challenges and prospects of the currently available vascularization techniques that may serve as a steppingstone to a mainstream application of skin tissue engineering.

Efficacy and Safety of Atorvastatin for Chronic Subdural Hematoma: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common neurological condition, especially in the elderly population. Atorvastatin has shown the potential to reduce the recurrence of CSDH and improve overall outcomes. New studies have emerged since the last meta-analysis, increasing the sample size and the variety of outcomes analyzed.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies comparing the use of atorvastatin in CSDH patients with a control group or placebo. The primary outcome was the recurrence of CSDH. Secondary outcomes of interest were hematoma volume, composite adverse effects, mortality, and neurological function, measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale and Barthel index for activities of daily living.

RESULTS

Seven studies, of which 2 were randomized controlled trials, were included, containing 1192 patients. Overall recurrence significantly decreased compared to the control group (risk ratio [RR] 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-0.83; P=0.009). The benefits of atorvastatin were sustained in the subgroup analysis of patients who underwent initial conservative therapy (RR 0.40; 95% CI 0.22-0.70; P=0.001). However, there was no significant difference when atorvastatin was combined with surgical intervention (RR 0.53; 95% CI 0.21-1.32; P=0.17). Adverse effects were not increased by atorvastatin (RR 0.82; 95% CI 0.51-1.34; P=0.44).

CONCLUSIONS

Atorvastatin might be beneficial in reducing CSDH recurrence, especially in conservative treatment patients. Atorvastatin was not significantly associated with adverse effects. Larger, higher-quality randomized studies are needed to adequately evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimal dose of atorvastatin in CSDH patients.

Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors for Recurrence of Chronic Subdural Haematoma after Surgery

(1) Background: In this study, epidemiological, clinical, therapeutical, and haemostaseological variables were investigated regarding their correlation with the recurrence of chronic subdural haematomas to assess the risk of recurrence more reliably in everyday clinical practice. (2) Methods: In our retrospective study, the electronic records of 90 patients who underwent surgery for a chronic subdural haematoma at our institute between 1 January 2017 and 31 May 2021 were analysed regarding previously defined variables. (3) Results: In the patient collective, 33.33% of the 90 patients experienced a recurrence requiring treatment. The occurrence of a recurrence was not statistically significantly related to age, gender, known alcohol abuse, a specific location, extension over one or both hemispheres, the surgical method, or anticoagulant medication. However, the recurrence was statistically significantly related to haematoma width (p = 0.000007), septation (p = 0.005), and the existence of a coagulation disorder not treated with medication (p = 0.04). (4) Conclusions: In our study, the width of the haematoma, septation, and coagulation disorders not treated with medication were documented as risk factors for the occurrence of a chronic subdural haematoma. Identifying of these risk factors could help in adapting individual therapeutic concepts for chronic subdural haematomas.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Atorvastatin in Treating Chronic Subdural Hematoma not Requiring Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a chronic space-occupying lesion formed by blood accumulation between the arachnoid membrane and the dura mater. Atorvastatin is of increasing clinical interest for CSDH. We performed a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and used objective data as the primary outcomes to provide an evidence-based analysis of the efficacy of atorvastatin for CSDH treatment. Databases of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Cqvip database (CQVIP), and Wanfang database were systematically searched for RCTs reporting the use of atorvastatin for CSDH treatment. Odds ratio (OR), standard mean difference (SMD), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as summary statistics. I-square (I2) test was performed to assess the impact of study heterogeneity on the results of the meta-analysis. Nine relevant RCTs with 611 patients were identified for inclusion in this meta-analysis. Compared to controls, atorvastatin treatment had a significantly higher effectiveness (OR: 7.41, 95% CI: 3.32-16.52, P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%), lower hematoma volume (SMD: -0.46. 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.20, P = 0.0005, I2 = 0%), higher activities of daily living-Barthel Index (ADL-BI) (SMD: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.06-3.09, P < 0.0001, I2 = 92%), and smaller Chinese stroke scale (CSS) (SMD: -1.10, 95% CI: -1.72 to -0.48, P = 0.0005, I2 = 57%). In view of these findings, we conclude that the outcomes of experimental group are superior to the control group with respect to effectiveness, hematoma volume, ADL-BI, and CSS based on nine RCTs with 611 patients. Atorvastatin is beneficial to CSDH patients without surgery.

In situ Reprogramming as a Pro-Angiogenic Inducer to Rescue Ischemic Tissues

Background

Enhanced regenerative therapeutic strategies are required to treat intractable ischemic heart disease.

Summary

Since the discovery of putative endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in 1997, many studies have focused on their extraction, ex vivo processing, and autotransplantation under ischemic conditions. Nonetheless, numerous randomized clinical trials involving thousands of patients have yielded only marginal treatment effects, highlighting the need for advances regarding insufficient dosage and complex ex vivo processing. The prevailing paradigm of cellular differentiation highlights the potential of direct cellular reprogramming, which paves the way for in situ reprogramming. In situ reprogramming holds the promise of significantly enhancing current therapeutic strategies, yet its success hinges on the precise targeting of candidate cells for reprogramming. In this context, the spleen emerges as a pivotal "in situ reprogramming hub," owing to its dual function as both a principal site for nanoparticle distribution and a significant reservoir of putative EPCs. The in situ reprogramming of splenic EPCs offers a potential solution to overcome critical challenges, including the aforementioned insufficient dosage and complex ex vivo processing.

Key Messages

This review explores the latest advancements in EPC therapy and in situ reprogramming, spotlighting a pioneering study that integrates those two strategies with a specific focus on the spleen. Such an innovative approach will potentially herald a new era of regenerative therapy for ischemic heart disease.

Biofluid Biomarkers in the Prognosis of Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Scoping Review

The present systematic scoping review aimed at mapping and analyzing the available literature on biological fluid (biofluid) biomarkers showing promise in the prediction of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) recurrence and the prognosis of neurological/functional patient outcome. Twenty-three studies published between 2003 and 2023 investigating a diverse range of biomarkers in hematoma fluid and/or the circulation in 3749 patients were included. Immune cell populations and inflammatory/anti-inflammatory cytokines comprised the most studied category of biomarkers displaying significant findings. A notable time trend in biomarker studies was a recent shift in research focus towards the analysis of circulating biomarkers. Several biomarkers were indicated as independent predictors of cSDH recurrence and/or functional/neurological outcome, including circulating fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP-1) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), as well as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the ratios of blood neutrophil to lymphocyte (NLR) or red blood cell distribution width to platelet count (RPR). While studies on cSDH prognostic biomarkers have gained, in recent years, momentum, additional multicenter prospective studies are warranted to confirm and extend their findings. The identification of prognostic biofluid biomarkers in cSDH is an active field of research that may provide future tools, guiding clinical decisions and allowing for the design of treatments based on risk stratification.

Anti-Inflammatory Drug Therapy in Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Randomized, Double-Blind and Placebo-Controlled Trials

Althoughanti-inflammatory drug therapy has been identified as potentially beneficial for patients suffering from chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH), contemporary literature presents contradictory results. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the impact of anti-inflammatory drug therapy on mortality and outcome. We searched for eligible randomized, placebo-controlled prospective trials (RTCs) on PubMed, Embase and Medline until July 2022. From 97 initially identified articles, five RTCs met the criteria and were included in our meta-analysis. Our results illustrate significantly lower rates of recurrent cSDH (OR: 0.35; 95% CI: 0.21-0.58, p = 0.0001) in patients undergoing anti-inflammatory therapy. In the subgroup of patients undergoing primary conservative treatment, anti-inflammatory therapy was associated with lower rates of "switch to surgery" cases (OR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.14-0.63, p = 0.002). Despite these findings, anti-inflammatory drugs seemed to be associated with higher mortality rates in patients undergoing surgery (OR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.03-3.01, p = 0.04), although in the case of primary conservative treatment, no effect on mortality has been observed (OR: 2.45; 95% CI: 0.35-17.15, p = 0.37). Further multicentric prospective randomized trials are needed to evaluate anti-inflammatory drugs as potentially suitable therapy for asymptomatic patients with cSDH to avoid the necessity of surgical hematoma evacuation on what are predominantly elderly, vulnerable, patients.

Establishment and validation of a prediction model for self-absorption probability of chronic subdural hematoma

Background

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is common in elderly people with a clear or occult traumatic brain injury history. Surgery is a traditional method to remove the hematomas, but it carries a significant risk of recurrence and poor outcomes. Non-surgical treatment has been recently considered effective and safe for some patients with CSDH. However, it is a challenge to speculate which part of patients could obtain benefits from non-surgical treatment.

Objective

To establish and validate a new prediction model of self-absorption probability with chronic subdural hematoma.

Method

The prediction model was established based on the data from a randomized clinical trial, which enrolled 196 patients with CSDH from February 2014 to November 2015. The following subjects were extracted: demographic characteristics, medical history, hematoma characters in imaging at admission, and clinical assessments. The outcome was self-absorption at the 8th week after admission. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was implemented for data dimensionality reduction and feature selection. Multivariable logistic regression was adopted to establish the model, while the experimental results were presented by nomogram. Discrimination, calibration, and clinical usefulness were used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram. A total of 60 consecutive patients were involved in the external validation, which enrolled in a proof-of-concept clinical trial from July 2014 to December 2018.

Results

Diabetes mellitus history, hematoma volume at admission, presence of basal ganglia suppression, presence of septate hematoma, and usage of atorvastatin were the strongest predictors of self-absorption. The model had good discrimination [area under the curve (AUC), 0.713 (95% CI, 0.637–0.788)] and good calibration (p = 0.986). The nomogram in the validation cohort still had good discrimination [AUC, 0.709 (95% CI, 0.574–0.844)] and good calibration (p = 0.441). A decision curve analysis proved that the nomogram was clinically effective.

Conclusions

This prediction model can be used to obtain self-absorption probability in patients with CSDH, assisting in guiding the choice of therapy, whether they undergo non-surgical treatment or surgery.

Endothelial Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Risk in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review Article

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory condition during sleep caused by repeated pauses in breathing due to upper airway obstruction. It is estimated that OSA affects 30% of the population, but only 10% are well diagnosed due to the absence of a well-defined symptomatology and poor screening tools for early diagnosis. OSA is associated to an endothelial dysfunction inducing several biological responses such as hypoxia, hypercapnia and oxidative stress, among others. OSA also triggers respiratory, nervous, metabolic, humoral and immunity system activations that increase the possibility of suffering a cardiovascular (CV) disease. In this review, we expose different studies that show the relationship between OSA and endothelial dysfunction and its association with CV pathologies like hypertension, and we define the most well-known treatments and their limitations. Additionally, we describe the potential future directions in OSA research, and we report clinical features such as endothelial progenitor cell alterations that could act as biomarkers for the development of new diagnostic tools and target therapies.

Risk Factor Analysis of the Conservative Treatment in Chronic Subdural Hematomas: A Substudy of the ATOCH Trial

INTRODUCTION

The objective of the study was to analyze the risk factors for worsening of the disease progression in patients with chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) during wait-and-observation treatment regimen and conservative treatment with atorvastatin.

METHODS

A total of 196 patients with CSDH were recruited (98 in the atorvastatin group and 98 in the blank placebo group). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the optimal cutoff for the hematoma volume by testing surgical and nonsurgical outcomes. Other measures, including univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed to identify the potential significant factors indicative of the outcome of therapeutic efficacy of conservative treatment through the characteristics of the baseline indicators at enrollment.

RESULTS

Over a median treatment duration of 2 months, lower total cholesterol, higher hematoma volume, and more midline shift were independent risk factors for worse outcomes of atorvastatin treatment for CSDH, and only a higher hematoma volume was an independent risk factor for spontaneous absorption in the placebo group. ROC analysis of all of the data showed that the optimal threshold of hematoma volume was 68.5 ml (sensitivity 73.5%, specificity 74%) in response to the greatest chance of switching to surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Critical independent predictors of atorvastatin monotherapy treatment success included higher total cholesterol, lower hematoma volume, and less midline shift in atorvastatin monotherapy, and higher hematoma volume was the only independent risk factor in close follow-up observation patients without any pharmacotherapy. Initial hematoma volume more than 68.5 ml may help clinicians to determine individual risk assessments and to make optimal treatment decisions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

http://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov . Identifier NCT02024373.

Expert consensus on drug treatment of chronic subdural hematoma

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a chronic space-occupying lesion formed by blood accumulation between arachnoid and dura mater, which is usually formed in the third week after traumatic brain injury. Surgical treatment is usually the first choice for patients with CSDH having a significant space-occupying effect. Most of the patients showed good results of surgical treatment, but still some patients had a postoperative recurrence (the recurrence rate was up to 33%). Because CSDH is often seen in the elderly, patients are weak and have many basic diseases. The risk of surgical treatment is high; serious complications and even death (the death rate is up to 32%) can often occur. The overall good prognosis rate of patients aged more than 90 years is 24%. The drug treatment can provide a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients who are weak, intolerable to surgery, or failed in surgery. Low-dose and long-term use of atorvastatin (20mg/d) is suggested for continuous treatment for at least 8 weeks, while low-dose and short-term use of dexamethasone can improve the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin on CSDH. Patients should undergo CT or MRI scanning at least one time within 2 weeks after the start of drug treatment.

Atorvastatin combined with low-dose dexamethasone for vascular endothelial cell dysfunction induced by chronic subdural hematoma

Atorvastatin has been shown to be a safe and effective non-surgical treatment option for patients with chronic subdural hematoma. However, treatment with atorvastatin is not effective in some patients, who must undergo further surgical treatment. Dexamethasone has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and low dosages are safe and effective for the treatment of many diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis and community-acquired pneumonia. However, the effects of atorvastatin and low-dose dexamethasone for the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma remain poorly understood. Hematoma samples of patients with chronic subdural hematoma admitted to the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University of China were collected and diluted in endothelial cell medium at 1:1 as the hematoma group. Atorvastatin, dexamethasone, or their combination was added to the culture medium. The main results were as follows: hopping probe ion conductance microscopy and permeability detection revealed that the best dosages to improve endothelial cell permeability were 0.1 μM atorvastatin and 0.1 μM dexamethasone. Atorvastatin, dexamethasone, or their combination could markedly improve the recovery of injured endothelial cells. Mice subcutaneously injected with diluted hematoma solution and then treated with atorvastatin, dexamethasone, or their combination exhibited varying levels of rescue of endothelial cell function. Hopping probe ion conductance microscopy, western blot assay, and polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the status of human cerebral endothelial cell status and expression level of tight junction protein indicated that atorvastatin, dexamethasone, or their combination could reduce subcutaneous vascular leakage caused by hematoma fluid. Moreover, the curative effect of the combined treatment was significantly better than that of either single treatment. Expression of Krüppel-like factor 2 protein in human cerebral endothelial cells was significantly increased, as was expression of the tight junction protein and vascular permeability marker vascular endothelial cadherin in each treatment group compared with the hematoma stimulation group. Hematoma fluid in patients with chronic subdural hematoma may damage vascular endothelial cells. However, atorvastatin combined with low-dose dexamethasone could rescue endothelial cell dysfunction by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins after hematoma injury. The effect of combining atorvastatin with low-dose dexamethasone was better than that of atorvastatin alone. Increased expression of Krüppel-like factor 2 may play an important role in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma. The animal protocols were approved by the Animal Care and Use Committee of Tianjin Medical University of China on July 31, 2016 (approval No. IRB2016-YX-036). The study regarding human hematoma samples was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University of China on July 31, 2018 (approval No. IRB2018-088-01).

Treatment of chronic subdural hematoma with atorvastatin combined with low-dose dexamethasone: phase II randomized proof-of-concept clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

The authors sought to test the hypothesis that adding dexamethasone (DXM) to atorvastatin (ATO) potentiates the effects of ATO on chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH).

METHODS

Sixty patients with CSDH underwent 5 weeks of treatment with an additional 7-week follow-up. Patients were randomized to receive a 5-week regimen of ATO 20 mg daily or ATO 20 mg daily plus a DXM regimen (ATO+DXM). The 5-week DXM regimen was 2.25 mg daily for 2 consecutive weeks, followed by 0.75 mg twice daily for 2 weeks and 0.75 mg once daily for 1 week. The primary endpoint was hematoma reduction assessed by neuroimaging at baseline and at 5 weeks of follow-up. Secondary outcomes included neurological improvement assessed by using the Markwalder's Grading Scale and Glasgow Coma Scale (MGS-GCS).

RESULTS

The mean patient age was 66.6 years, and 25% of patients were women. The patients who were treated with ATO+DXM had more obvious hematoma reduction at the 5th week (between-groups difference 18.37 ml; 95% CI 8.17-28.57; p = 0.0005). This reduction started from the 2nd week (14.51 ml; 95% CI 4.31-24.71; p = 0.0056) of treatment and persisted until the 12th week (17.50 ml; 95% CI 7.30-27.70; p = 0.0009). Complete recovery of neurological function (MGS-GCS grade 0) at 5 weeks was achieved in 83.33% and 32.14% of patients in the ATO+DXM and ATO groups, respectively. At the 5th week, patients receiving ATO+DXM had significantly lower levels of T cells and higher levels of regulatory T cells and endothelial progenitor cells in their peripheral blood.

CONCLUSIONS

ATO+DXM was more effective than ATO alone in reducing hematoma and improving neurological function in patients with CSDH. These results require further confirmation in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.Clinical trial registration no.: ChiCTR-IPR-14005573 (http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx).

Xiaoyukang Jiaonang Promotes the Degradation of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α and Antiangiogenesis and Anti-Inflammation in Chronic Subdural Hematoma Rat Model

Xiaoyukang Jiaonang (XYK) is a Chinese patent medicine approved by the National Medical Product Administration which is used to treat intracranial hematoma in China. In this study, we observed the molecular mechanism of XYK in hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), inflammation and angiogenesis of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The CSDH model was made by using internal iliac vein blood of Wister rats, and rats were divided into sham group, CSDH group and XYK group. The rats in the XYK group were gavaged with Xiaoyukang Jiaonang (185 mg/kg) for 7 days, and rats in the CSDH group and sham group were gavaged with the same amount of physiological saline for 7 days. In the CSHD rat model, active inflammation and angiogenesis were observed around the hematoma. XYK promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of HIF-1α, and reduced the concentration of VEGF and the ratio of angiopoietin-1/angiopoietin-2. XYK reduced proinflammatory cytokines and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine. In tissue section, XYK reduced the size of the hematoma and membrane, and reduced vWF positive cells in membrane. Furthermore, the endothelial progenitor cells in blood decreased as well. Overall, XYK shows anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenesis effects which may relate to the degradation of HIF-1α.

Evaluation of the efficacy of atorvastatin in the treatment for chronic subdural hematoma: a meta-analysis

Atorvastatin therapy in chronic subdural hematoma patients has attracted more and more clinical attention. To evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases; related controlled trials comparing the efficacy of atorvastatin in the treatment of chronic subdural hematoma published from inception to December 2018 were collected. We used Cochrane risk of bias method to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Meta-analysis was used to analyze the included data by RevMan 5.3 software. Of the 53 retrieved studies, 6 trials were included. Results of meta-analysis showed that compared with chronic subdural hematoma patients without atorvastatin treatment, both in patients who have had surgery and those who have not, atorvastatin were effective in reducing the incidence of recurrence requires surgery (OR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.19-0.48, P < 0.00001). And improve the recovery rate of neurological function of patients (OR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.08-2.83, P = 0.02). This meta-analysis suggests that patients with chronic subdural hematoma can improve their prognosis after receiving atorvastatin. Additionally, the neurological function recovery appears to be improving by atorvastatin.

Statins in conditions other than hypocholesterolemic effects for chronic subdural hematoma therapy, old drug, new tricks?

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common intracranial hematomas worldwide with a high incidence in the general population. However, the optimum treatment for CSDH is Burr-hole drainage with or without rinse Considering the poor outcomes of CSDH in aged patients, and ambiguous prediction of recurrence in many sides of recurrent CSDHs who have been analyzed, new effective therapies are needed for those CSDHs who are predicated to have poor prognosis for surgery and/or have a higher risk of recurrence. Statins, which is the first-line treatment for patients with high cholesterol and coronary heart disease. However, statins are still not solely limited in the treatment of these diseases. It has been demonstrated that statins could improve CSDH due to its effect of regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation. In this review, in order to provide potential new treatment for CSDH we summarize the recent findings of statins in CSDH in order to try to clarify the mechanisms of this effect.