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Objective The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the mechanism of ADSC transplantation. Methods B6.MRL/lpr mice were administered ADSC intravenously every week from age 28 to 31 weeks, while the lupus control group and the normal control received phosphate buffered solution (PBS) on the same schedule. Results Compared with the lupus control group, the ADSC treatment group had a significant improvement of histologic abnormalities, serologic abnormalities, and immunologic function. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, spleen/weight ratio, deposits of C3/IgG in the kidney, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly decreased with the transplantation of ADSC. A significant decrease of the Th17/CD4+ T cell ratio in the spleen, the serum IL-17 concentration, as well as renal IL-17 expression was observed in the ADSC treatment group. Western blot results also showed that ADSC treatment had a lower expression of protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, and HIF-1α. Conclusion ADSC treatment can prevent the development of lupus nephritis and significantly ameliorate already-established disease. ADSC treatment reduced Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, HIF-1α, and that this inhibition can avert IL-17-induced inflammation, suggesting that ADSC may be a promising treatment for SLE.

Aims and objectives To compare persistence and outcomes of non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) versus warfarin in Chinese patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Background Given the unpredictable warfarin response and the costliness of NOACs, more research is needed to clarify which drug enjoys better persistence and outcomes, helping to provide personalised care for patients. Design A prospective cohort study. Methods Chinese patients taking NOACs or warfarin from March 2016–April 2018 were followed up by telephone or outpatient visit at 3, 6 months and half a year thereafter. Anticoagulant persistence and outcomes including stroke and bleeding were collected. We used Cox regression to analyse data. This study was reported according to the STROBE guideline. Results A total of 344 patients were enrolled; 146 patients received NOACs including dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and 198 patients received warfarin. Persistence with anticoagulants was low and dropped sharply at the third month. Patients on NOACs had worse persistence at 3, 6 and 12 months than those on warfarin. There was no difference in the incidence of ischaemic stroke and bleeding between groups, although ischaemic stroke and major bleeding occurred less frequently in the NOACs group. Paroxysmal AF, no heart failure and no stroke were predictors of NOACs non‐persistence. Prior catheter ablation and no diabetes were associated with poor persistence of warfarin. The main reason for anticoagulant cessation was patient preference. Conclusions Chinese patients taking NOACs had lower persistence, similar rate of ischaemic stroke and bleeding compared with those on warfarin. Further inventions are needed to improve persistence in Chinese patients on NOACs. Relevance to clinical practice Anticoagulation should highlight both persistence and outcomes emphasising personalised care of different drugs. Further interventions to improve persistence should be developed based on causes and risk factors and carried out in the third month of therapy.