OBJECTIVE-Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are impaired in diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the direct effects of high glucose on EPCs.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-Mononuclear cells isolated from healthy subjects were incubated with glucose/ mannitol or drugs for EPC study. After 4 days of culture, attached early EPCs appeared. The monolayer late EPCs with cobblestone shape appeared at 2-4 weeks. Various immunofluroscence stainings were used to characterize the early and late EPCs. Senescence assay and the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were determined. Migration and tube formation assay were done to evaluate the capacity for vasculogenesis in late EPCs.RESULTS-Chronic incubation with high glucose but not mannitol (osmotic control) dose-dependently reduced the number and proliferation of early and late EPCs, respectively. High glucose enhanced EPC senescence and impaired the migration and tube formation of late EPCs. High glucose also decreased eNOS, FoxO1, and Akt phosphorylation and bioavailable nitric oxide (NO) in both EPCs. The effects of high glucose could be ameliorated by coincubation with NO donor sodium nitroprusside or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor and deteriorated by eNOS inhibitor or PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3Ј-kinase) inhibitor. Antioxidants including vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine-and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-conjugated superoxide dismutase, and PEG-catalase had no effects, whereas pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, diphenyleneiodonium, apocynin, and rotenone even deteriorated the downregulation of both EPCs. CONCLUSIONS-High

In terms of clinical outcome there was little difference between the treatment groups. Thus, with the higher cost of the kyphotic balloon procedure, we recommend vertebroplasty over kyphoplasty for the treatment of osteoporotic VCFs.

Attachment to, and migration of leukocytes into the vessel wall is an early event in atherogenesis. Expression of cell adhesion molecules by the arterial endothelium may play a major role in atherosclerosis. It has been suggested that antioxidants inhibit the expression of adhesion molecules and may thus attenuate the processes leading to atherosclerosis. In the present study, the effects of a potent water-soluble antioxidant, salvianolic acid B (Sal B), and an aqueous ethanolic extract (SME), both derived from a Chinese herb, Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecules by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-treated human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were investigated. When pretreated with SME (50 and 100 microg/ml), the TNF-alpha-induced expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was notably attenuated (77.2 +/- 3.2% and 80.0 +/- 2.2%, respectively); and with Sal B (1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 microg/ml), 84.5 +/- 1.9%, 78.8 +/- 1.2%, 58.9 +/- 0.4%, 58.7 +/- 0.9%, and 57.4 +/- 0.3%, respectively. Dose-dependent lowering of expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was also seen with SME or Sal B. In contrast, the expression of endothelial cell selectin (E-selectin) was not affected. SME (50 microg/ml) or Sal B (5 microg/ml) significantly reduced the binding of the human monocytic cell line, U937, to TNF-alpha-stimulated HAECs (45.7 +/- 2.5% and 55.8 +/- 1.2%, respectively). SME or Sal B significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) in HAECs (0.36- and 0.48-fold, respectively). These results demonstrate that SME and Sal B have anti-inflammatory properties and may explain their anti-atherosclerotic properties. This new mechanism of action of Sal B and SME, in addition to their previously reported inhibition of LDL, may help explain their efficacy in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective-Both matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been implicated in the process of neovascularization. Here we show that the impaired neovascularization in mice lacking MMP-9 is related to a defect in EPC functions in vasculogenesis. Methods and Results-Hindlimb ischemia surgery was conducted in MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice and wild-type (MMP-9 ϩ/ϩ ) mice. Blood flow recovery was markedly impaired in MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice when compared with that in wild-type mice as determined by laser Doppler imaging. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the number of EPC-like cells (Sca-1 ϩ /Flk-1 ϩ ) in peripheral blood increased in wild-type mice after hindlimb ischemia surgery and exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor stimulation, but not in MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice. Plasma levels and bone marrow concentrations of soluble Kit-ligand (sKitL) were significantly elevated in wild-type mice in response to tissue ischemia, but not in MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice. C-kit positive bone marrow cells of MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice have attenuated adhesion and migration than those isolated from wild-type mice. In in vitro studies, incubation with selective MMP-9 inhibitor suppressed the colony formation, migration, and tube formation capacities of EPC. Transplantation of bone marrow cells from wild-type mice restored collateral flow formation in MMP-9 Ϫ/Ϫ mice. Conclusions-These findings suggest that MMP-9 deficiency impairs ischemia-induced neovascularization, and these effects may occur through a reduction in releasing the stem cell-active cytokine, and EPC mobilization, migration, and vasculogenesis functions.

HO-1 is a poor prognostic NSCLC predictor and its over-expression may increase the metastatic potential of NSCLC. Based on our findings and those of others, HO-1 may be considered as a novel NSCLC therapeutic target.

Several animal species are used to study calcium oxalate urolithiasis; however, an ideal model has yet to be identified. We used Drosophila as a model organism and fed the flies lithogenic agents such as ethylene glycol, hydroxyl-L-proline, and sodium oxalate. At different times, the Malpighian tubules, the kidney equivalent of insects, were dissected and a polarized light microscope used to highlight the birefringent crystals. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed that the crystal composition was predominately calcium oxalate. Furthermore, administration of potassium citrate successfully reduced the quantity of and modulated the integrity of the ethylene glycol-induced crystals. Thus, the Drosophila model of bio-mineralization produces crystals in the urinary system through many lithogenic agents, permits observation of crystal formation, and is amenable to genetic manipulation. This model may mimic the etiology and clinical manifestations of calcium oxalate stone formation and aid in identification of the genetic basis of this disease.

Objective-Red wine (RW) consumption has been associated with a reduction of cardiovascular events, but limited data are available on potential mediating mechanisms. This study tested the hypothesis that intake of RW may promote the circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) level and function through enhancement of nitric oxide bioavailability. Methods and Results-Eighty healthy, young subjects were randomized and assigned to consume water (100 mL), RW (100 mL), beer (250 mL), or vodka (30 mL) daily for 3 weeks. Flow cytometry was used to quantify circulating EPC numbers, and in vitro assays were used to evaluate EPC functions. After RW ingestion, endothelial function determined by flow-mediated vasodilation was significantly enhanced; however, it remained unchanged after water, beer, or vodka intake. There were significantly increased numbers of circulating EPC (defined as) and EPC colony-forming units only in the RW group (all PϽ0.05). Only RW ingestion significantly enhanced plasma levels of nitric oxide and decreased asymmetrical dimethylarginine (both PϽ0.01). Incubation of EPC with RW (but not beer or ethanol) and resveratrol in vitro attenuated tumor necrosis factor-␣-induced EPC senescence and improved tumor necrosis factor-␣-suppressed EPC functions and tube formation. Incubation with nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside significantly ameliorated the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-␣ on EPC proliferation, but incubation with endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME and PI3K inhibitor markedly attenuated the effect of RW on EPC proliferation. Conclusion-The intake of RW significantly enhanced circulating EPC levels and improved EPC functions by modifying nitric oxide bioavailability. These findings may help explain the beneficial effects of RW on the cardiovascular system. This study demonstrated that a moderate intake of RW can enhance circulating levels of EPC in healthy subjects by increasing nitric oxide availability. Direct incubation of EPC with RW and resveratrol can modify the functions of EPC, including attenuation of senescence and promotion of EPC adhesion, migration, and tube formation. These data suggest that RW ingestion may alter the biology of EPC, and these alterations may contribute to its unique cardiovascularprotective effect. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2010;30:869-877.)

Objective-This study was conducted to examination whether Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), a Chinese herb with antioxidant activity, could reduce cytokine-induced monocyte/human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) interaction, a pivotal early event in atherogenesis. Methods and Results-Pretreatment of HAECs with GBE (50 and 100 g/mL for 18 hours) significantly suppressed cellular binding between the human monocytic cell line U937 and tumor necrosis factor-␣ (TNF-␣)-stimulated HAECs by using in vitro binding assay (68.7% and 60.1% inhibitions, respectively). Cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblot analysis showed that GBE (50 g/mL for 18 hours) significantly attenuated TNF-␣-induced cell surface and total protein expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (63.5% and 69.2%, respectively; PϽ0.05). However, pretreatment with probucol (5 mol/L for 18 hours) reduced the expression of vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 but not intracellular adhesion molecule-1. Preincubation of HAECs with GBE or probucol significantly reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species formation induced by TNF-␣ (76.8% and 68.2% inhibitions, respectively; PϽ0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that both GBE and probucol inhibited transcription factor nuclear factor-B activation in TNF-␣-stimulated HAECs (55.2% and 65.6% inhibitions, respectively) but only GBE could inhibit the TNF-␣-stimulated activator protein 1 activation (45.1% inhibition, PϽ0.05). Key Words: activator protein 1 Ⅲ cell adhesion molecule Ⅲ Ginkgo biloba Ⅲ human aortic endothelial cells Ⅲ nuclear factor-B Conclusions-GBE