Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be isolated from various tissues and can present themselves as a promising cell source for cell-based therapies. Although adipose- and bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells have already been used in a considerable number of clinical trials for osteoarthritis treatment, systematic analyses from single- to bulk-cell resolution as well as clinical outcomes of these 2 MSCs are still insufficient. Purpose: To explore the characteristics and differences of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow MSCs (BMSCs) at single- and bulk-cell levels, to study the clinical outcomes of these 2 cells on the treatment of osteoarthritis, and to provide potential guidance on the more precise clinical application of these MSCs. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study and meta-analysis. Methods: Same donor–derived ADSCs and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. Single- and bulk-cell assays were used to identify the characteristics of these 2 cells. Meta-analysis of clinical trials was done to compare the clinical therapeutic effects in osteoarthritis treatment with ADSCs and BMSCs. Results: Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis showed that the population of ADSCs showed lower transcriptomic heterogeneity when compared with BMSCs. Additionally, as compared with BMSCs, ADSCs were less dependent on mitochondrial respiration for energy production. Furthermore, ADSCs had a lower expression level of human leukocyte antigen class I antigen and higher immunosuppression capacity when compared with the BMSC population. Meta-analysis of current clinical trials of osteoarthritis treatment with MSCs consistently showed that ADSCs are more stable than BMSCs in their therapeutic effect. Conclusion: These results provide basic biological insights into human ADSCs and BMSCs at the single-cell resolution. Findings indicated that ADSCs may be a more controllable stem cell source, may be more adaptable to surviving in the hypoxic articular cavity niche, and may exhibit superiority in regulating inflammation. Based on the meta-analysis results of the different characteristics of ADSCs and BMSCs, ADSCs were implicated as being a better cell source for osteoarthritis treatment. Clinical Relevance: These results guide a more precise clinical application of adipose and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

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The complex pathology of cancer development requires correspondingly complex treatments. The traditional application of individual single-target drugs fails to sufficiently treat cancer with durable therapeutic effects and tolerable adverse events. Therefore, synergistic combinations of drugs represent a promising way to enhance efficacy, overcome toxicity and optimize safety. Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) have long been used as such synergistic combinations. Therefore, we summarized the synergistic combinations of CHMs used in the treatment of cancer and their roles in chemotherapy in terms of enhancing efficacy, reducing side effects, immune modulation, as well as abrogating drug resistance. Our conclusions support the development of further science-based holistic modalities for cancer care.

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The metabolic mechanisms underlying aristolochic acid (AA)-induced nephrotoxicity are inconclusive. A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS)-based metabolomic study was performed to analyze urinary metabolites in AA-treated rats at different dosages (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and time points (2, 4, and 6 days). Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and kidney injury were significantly changed only on the 6th day in 40 mg/kg AA group, whereas metabolic alternation appeared even on the 2nd day in 10 mg/kg AA group. A total of 84 differential metabolites were identified in 40 mg/kg AA groups time-dependently and 81 in 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg AA groups dose-dependently (6 days) compared with control group. Eight metabolites were selected as potential metabolic biomarkers including methylsuccinic acid, nicotinamide, 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, citric acid, creatinine, uric acid, glycolic acid, and gluconic acid. Four of them were dose-dependently altered including methylsuccinic acid, citric acid, creatinine, and 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, which were defined as "early metabolic biomarker." The alteration of nicotinamide, uric acid, and gluconic acid was time- and dose-dependent, whereas the change of glycolic acid was time- or dose-independent. The latter 4 metabolites were defined as "late metabolic biomarker" because of the obvious reduction on the 6th day in 40 mg/kg AA group. In summary, the urinary metabolic alterations were more sensitive than conventional biomarkers of renal injury. The identified metabolites suggested pathways of energy metabolism, gut microbiota, and purine metabolism were associated with AA-induced nephrotoxicity time- or dose-dependently. Further investigation was warranted to determine the roles of the 8 potential metabolic biomarkers in AA-induced nephrotoxicity.