Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most severe traumatic injuries that results in dysfunction of limbs and trunk below the damaged section. Recent studies have shown that gastrodin (GAS) could improve the recovery of SCI. In the current study, we aimed to examine the possible mechanism underlying the effect of GAS on recovery of SCI in rats. In rats with SCI, GAS improved locomotor functions and decreased permeability of blood-spinal cord barrier, as illustrated by increase of Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores and decrease of Evans blue leakage. In addition, GAS inhibited inflammation, as evidenced by decrease of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in rats following SCI. Moreover, increase of TBARS content and decrease of glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in SCI rats were inhibited by GAS. Furthermore, GAS enhanced mRNA expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), catalytic subunit of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLc) and modified subunit of γ-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCLm). The data suggested that GAS may promote the recovery of SCI through the enhancement of Nrf2-GCLc/GCLm signaling pathway, and subsequent improvement of oxidative stress and inflammation, resulting in decrease of permeability of BSCB and improved recovery of locomotor function in rats with SCI. The results have provided novel insights into GAS-related therapy of SCI and associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Correlation of the expression of inflammatory factors with expression of apoptosis-related genes, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), in burned rats was investigated. Forty healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into SHAM group (n=10), I° burn group (n=10), II° burn group (n=10) and III° burn group (n=10). Changes in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Bax messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), Bcl-2 mRNA, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were detected. The correlation of TNF-α, Bax and Bcl-2 with the degree of burn in rats was observed, and the correlation of TNF-α with Bax and Bcl-2 was also analyzed. Moreover, Bax mRNA and Bcl-2 mRNA were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and TNF-α, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In burn groups, TNF-α, Bax mRNA and Bax protein levels were significantly increased at each time point compared with those at the previous time point (P<0.05), but Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased compared with those at the previous time point (P<0.05). At the same time point, TNF-α, Bax mRNA, Bcl-2 mRNA, Bax protein and Bcl-2 protein expression levels had statistically significant differences between any given two groups (P<0.05). The TNF-α expression level was positively correlated with Bax expression levels and negatively correlated with Bcl-2 expression levels. Additionally, TNF-α, Bax mRNA and Bax protein had positive correlations with the degree of burn and time after burn, while Bcl-2 mRNA and Bcl-2 protein had negative correlations with the degree of burn and time after burn. Continuous monitoring of changes in the TNF-α level can be used as a means to evaluate the degree of burn and apoptosis, and to prevent the deepening of burn wounds, thus facilitating the early clinical evaluation of prognosis.
Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of minimally invasive percutaneous lag screw internal fixation and reconstruction plate in the treatment of unstable pelvic fractures.
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