Icariin, the main active compound of the traditional Chinese medicine, Epimedium, is commonly used for the clinical treatment of osteoporosis. However, the precise molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of icariin has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of icariin on cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the amount of calcified nodules, and to delineate the molecular mechanism of icariin-enhanced bone formation by investigating the expression of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), Smad4, Cbfa1/Runx2, osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) and the OPG/RANKL ratio in the hFOB 1.19 human osteoblastic cell line. We found that icariin significantly increased the cell viability, the activity of ALP and the amount of calcified nodules in the hFOB 1.19 cells. Furthermore, we observed that icariin upregulated the expression of BMP-2, Smad4, Cbfa1/Runx2, OPG, RANKL and the OPG/RANKL ratio. Our results indicate that icariin can modulate the process of bone formation via the BMP-2/Smad4 signal transduction pathway in hFOB 1.19 cells.

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Background: To investigate whether the Chinese lacto‐vegetarian diet has protective effects on metabolic and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: One hundred sixty‐nine healthy Chinese lacto‐vegetarians and 126 healthy omnivore men aged 21–76 years were enrolled. Anthropometric indexes, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity, pancreatic β cell function, and intima‐media thickness (IMT) of carotid arteries were assessed and compared. Cardiovascular risk points and probability of developing CVD in 5–10 years in participants aged 24–55 years were calculated. Results: Compared with omnivores, lacto‐vegetarians had remarkably lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, γ‐glutamyl transferase, serum creatinine, uric acid, fasting blood glucose, as well as lower total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Vegetarians also had higher homeostasis model assessment β cell function and insulin secretion index and thinner carotid IMT than the omnivores did. These results corresponded with lower cardiovascular risk points and probability of developing CVD in 5–10 years in vegetarians 24–55 years old. Conclusions: In healthy Chinese men, the lacto‐vegetarian diet seems to exert protective effects on blood pressure, lipid profiles, and metabolic parameters and results in significantly lower carotid IMT. Lower CVD risks found in vegetarians also reflect the beneficial effect of the Chinese lacto‐vegetarian diet.

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Telomeres are protective chromosomal structures that play a key role in preserving genomic stability. Telomere length is known to be associated with ageing and age-related diseases. To study the impairment of telomeres induced by drug abuse, we conducted an association study in the Chinese Han population. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate the correlation of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with addiction control status adjusted for age and gender. The results showed that drug abusers exhibited significantly shorter LTLs than controls (P = 1.32e−06). The time before relapse also presented an inverse correlation with LTL (P = 0.02). Drug abusers who had used heroin and diazepam displayed a shorter LTL than those taking other drugs (P = 0.018 and P = 0.009, respectively). Drug abusers who had ingested drugs via snuff exhibited longer LTLs than those using other methods (P = 0.02). These observations may offer a partial explanation for the effects of drug addiction on health.

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Dramatic breakthroughs in the treatment and assessment of neurological diseases are lacking. We believe that conventional methods have several limitations. Computerized technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality, and robot assistant systems, are advancing at a rapid pace. In this study, we used Parkinson’s disease (PD) as an example to elucidate how the latest computerized technologies can improve the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases. Dopaminergic medication and deep brain stimulation remain the most effective interventions for treating PD. Subjective scales, such as the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and the Hoehn and Yahr stage, are still the most widely used assessments. Wearable sensors, virtual reality, augmented reality, and robot assistant systems are increasingly being used for evaluation of patients with PD. The use of such computerized technologies can result in safe, objective, real-time behavioral assessments. Our experiences and understanding of PD have led us to believe that such technologies can provide real-time assessment, which will revolutionize the traditional assessment and treatment of PD. New technologies are desired that can revolutionize PD treatment and facilitate real-time adjustment of treatment based on motor fluctuations, such as telediagnosis systems and “smart treatment systems.” The use of these technologies will substantially improve both the assessment and the treatment of neurological diseases before next-generation treatments, such as stem cell and genetic therapy, and next-generation assessments, can be clinically practiced, although the current level of artificial intelligence cannot replace the role of clinicians.

Abstract. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways play a central role in inflammatory responses. Total flavonoids of Hedyotis diffusa Willd (TFHDW) are active compounds derived from Hedyotis diffusa Willd, which has been long used in Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of various inflammatory diseases, including ulcerative colitis and bronchitis; however, the precise mechanisms underlying the effects of TFHDW are largely unknown. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory effect of TFHDW was evaluated and the underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in an in vitro inflammatory model comprising lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The results indicated that TFHDW inhibited the inflammatory response as it significantly reduced the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β in a concentration-dependent manner, without causing cytotoxicity. In addition, the mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was suppressed by treatment with TFHDW in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, TFHDW treatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced activation of NF-κB via the suppression of inhibitor of κB (IκB) phosphorylation, and reduced the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling molecules (p38, c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2), which resulted in the inhibition of cytokine expression. These findings suggest that TFHDW exerted anti-inflammatory activity via suppression of the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways. IntroductionInflammation is an orchestrated biological process, induced by tissue injury or microbial infection, which protects the body from these inflammatory stimuli. However, persistent or excessive inflammation is associated with a variety of pathological conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial sepsis and skin inflammation (1,2). Macrophages play a key role in the host defense against noxious substances and are involved in numerous inflammatory diseases (3). The activation of macrophages by inflammatory stimuli can generate reactive oxygen species, such as H 2 O 2 and superoxide, and induce the expression of various genes such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in addition to other inflammatory mediators, including nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which are synthesized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, respectively. Inflammatory cytokines and mediators contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous inflammation-associated human diseases (4). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria induces inflammation and is frequently used to stimulate macrophages in order to study inflammation and the mechanisms of action of potential anti-inflammatory agents.The anti-inflammatory actions of various phytochemicals have been found to be mediated through suppression of the NF-κB pathway (5). NF-κB is a key regu...