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Purpose: Adipose stem cells (ASCs) are pluripotent cells with the ability of self-renewal and differentiation into different types of mesenchymal cells. As cartilage repair is difficult due to lack of blood capillary, resveratrol (Res) is a polyphenolic compound with diverse biological properties to be possibly used in this case. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Res on differentiation of ASCs into chondrocyte in a three-dimensional (3D) culture model. Methods: Subcutaneous adipose tissues were prepared and digested enzymatically, and passed through cell strainer. ASCs were harvested in the fourth passage, and divided into five groups. The control group received chondrogenic differentiation medium (CDM) while the experimental groups received CDM plus different doses of Res (1, 10, 20, and 50 µM) for 21 days. Expression of cartilage specific genes and Sirtuin1 (SIRT 1), cell viability, apoptosis and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were detected using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), MTT assay, TUNEL and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining. One-way ANOVA and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test were used for data analyses. Results: ASCs were differentiated to chondrocyte by CDM in a three-dimensional culture. 10 and 20 µM doses of Res showed the most proliferating effect on ADSCs. The SIRT 1 genes expression and FRAP level also increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Also, OD of cell increased whereas apoptosis decreased. Conclusion: 3D culture was a suitable condition for ASCs differentiation to chondrocyte, and lower doses of Res exert proliferation effect on ASCs.

Introduction: Lung fibrosis is a progressive, fatal disease that is characterized by increasing fibroblasts proliferation and extracellular matrix precipitation. Studies have shown that cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) could play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. In the current study, the effect of thalidomide on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis was qualitatively studied in a laboratory animal model.Methods: Thirty-two adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to the following four groups: Group one received 2 mg bleomycin, group two received bleomycin in addition to 4 mg of thalidomide; group three received 4 mg of thalidomide, and Group 4 received 0.1 mg of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) via intraperitoneal (IP) administration. Finally, the expression of Cox-2 protein and the percentage of contact points of alveolar spaces and pulmonary connective tissue were determined. Results: Our results showed that in the Bleo + Thal group compared to the Bleo group, the percentage of contact points of pulmonary connective tissue decreased significantly (P<0.001), while the percentage of contact points among the alveolar spaces increased significantly (P = 0.01). Also, immunohistochemical studies have demonstrated the number of Cox-2 + cells in the volume unit in the Bleo + Thal group decreased significantly in comparison with the group that received only Bleo (P = 0.012). Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest thalidomide could alleviate the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and decreases the expression of Cox-2 protein.

In the original publication of this article the affiliation of the co-author Dr Azam Bozorgi was mistakenly published and the same has been corrected.Publisher's Note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.