Objective: Diabetes has been identified as a risk factor for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The aim of this study is to investigate the potential mechanism underlying diabetes-related pyroptosis in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Methods: We used a high-glucose environment to mimic diabetes in vitro and examined the endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and pyroptotic response. Furthermore, we utilized activators and inducers of ERS to explore the role of ERS in high-glucose-induced pyroptosis in NP cells. We evaluated the ERS and pyroptosis levels using immunofluorescence (IF) or RT-PCR and measured the expression of collagen II, aggrecan, and MMPs. Additionally, we used ELISA to determine the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the culture medium, and CCK8 assay to test cell viability. Results: High-glucose conditions promoted the degeneration of NP cells and triggered ERS and pyroptosis. A high level of ERS aggravated pyroptosis, and partially suppressing ERS resisted high-glucose-induced pyroptosis and alleviated the degeneration of NP cells. Inhibiting caspase-1-based pyroptosis under high-glucose conditions helped relieve the degeneration of NP cells but did not affect ERS levels. Conclusions: High-glucose induces pyroptosis in NP cells via the mediation of ERS, and suppressing ERS or pyroptosis protects NP cells under high-glucose conditions.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread autoimmune inflammatory disease. It implicates damage to bones, cartilage, and joints with uncertain pathogenesis. It is coupled with an elevated risk of cardiovascular complications and human disability. The conventional dosage forms for RA treatment pose numerous problems including poor efficacy, large dosages, frequent administration, limited responsiveness, greater expenses, and severe side effects. The nanoparticulate systems are emerging as a new thought for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. Anti-inflammatory drug-loaded nanoparticulate systems aid in the active and passive targeting of the inflamed region. Improved bioavailability and targetability are achieved by using these systems. In this review, the pathophysiology of RA and its conventional treatment has been discussed. The role of various nanoparticulate systems for passive and active targeting of RA has been reviewed. The authors have summarized the current practices in the typical and novel nanosystems to improve the quality of life in RA patients.
Tendon wounds are a worldwide health issue affecting millions of people annually. Due to the characteristics of tendons, their natural restoration is a complicated and lengthy process. With the advancement of bioengineering, biomaterials, and cell biology, a new science, tissue engineering, has developed. In this field, numerous ways have been offered. As increasingly intricate and natural structures resembling tendons are produced, the results are encouraging. This study highlights the nature of the tendon and the standard cures that have thus far been utilized. Then, a comparison is made between the many tendon tissue engineering methodologies proposed to date, concentrating on the ingredients required to gain the structures that enable appropriate tendon renewal: cells, growth factors, scaffolds, and scaffold formation methods. The analysis of all these factors enables a global understanding of the impact of each component employed in tendon restoration, thereby shedding light on potential future approaches involving the creation of novel combinations of materials, cells, designs, and bioactive molecules for the restoration of a functional tendon.
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