Assessing the Effects of Geniculate Artery Embolization in a Nonsurgical Animal Model of Osteoarthritis

PurposeTo create a nonsurgical animal model of osteoarthritis (OA) to evaluate the effects of embolotherapy during geniculate artery embolization (GAE).Materials and MethodsFluoroscopy-guided injections of 700 mg of sodium monoiodoacetate were performed into the left stifle in 6 rams. Kinematic data were collected before and after induction. At 10 weeks after induction, Subjects 1 and 4–6 underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and Subjects 1, 3, and 4–6 underwent angiography with angiographic scoring to identify regions with greatest disease severity for superselective embolization (75–250-μm microspheres). Target vessel size was measured. At 24 weeks after angiography, DCE-MR imaging, angiography, and euthanasia were performed, and bilateral stifles were harvested. Medial/lateral tibial and femoral condylar, patellar, and synovial samples were cut, preserved, decalcified, and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International criteria. The stifle and synovium Whole-Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score and Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study score were determined. The volume transfer constant (K_trans) and extracellular volume fraction (v_e) were calculated from DCE-MR imaging along the lateral synovial regions of interest.ResultsThe mean gross and microscopic pathological scores were elevated at 38 and 61, respectively. Mean synovitis score was elevated at 9.2. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization angiographic scores were 5 and 3.8, respectively. Mean superior, transverse, and inferior geniculate artery diameters were 3.1 mm ± 1.21, 2.0 mm ± 0.50, and 1.6 mm ± 0.41 mm, respectively. Mean pre-embolization and postembolization cartilage and synovitis scores were elevated at 35.13 and 73.3 and 5.5 and 9.2, respectively. The K_trans/v_e values of Subjects 4, 5, and 6 were elevated at 0.049/0.38, 0.074/0.53, and 0.065/0.51, respectively. Altered gait of the hind limb was observed in all subjects after induction, with reduced joint mobility. No skin necrosis or osteonecrosis was observed.ConclusionsA nonsurgical ovine animal knee OA model was created, which allowed the collection of angiographic, histopathological, MR imaging, and kinematic data to study the effects of GAE.     

Comparison of Foaming Properties Between the Shirasu Porous Glass Membrane Device and Tessari’s Three-way Stopcock Technique for Polidocanol and Ethanolamine Oleate Foam Production: A Benchtop Study

PurposeTo compare the characteristics of polidocanol (POL) and ethanolamine oleate (EO) sclerosing foams produced by a Shirasu porous glass membrane (SPGM) device with those made using a 3-way stopcock (3WSC).Materials and MethodsFoam half-life times were measured in an ex-vivo benchtop study. Computed tomography (CT) images of each foam were obtained over the time course, and a CT texture analysis was conducted. The bubble size in each foam was measured by an optical microscope.ResultsMedian foam half-life times were longer in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL: 198 vs 166 s, P = .02; EO: 640 vs 391 s, P < .01). In the CT texture analysis, median standard deviation (SD) and entropy (randomness) were lower, and median energy (uniformity) and gray-level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM) homogeneity were higher in the SPGM group than in the 3WSC group (POL SD: at 30 s and 50–300 s; POL entropy: at 0–60 s; EO SD: at 0–600 s; EO entropy: at 0–460 s; POL energy: at 0–40 s; POL GLCM homogeneity: at 0–250 s; EO energy: at 0–360 s; EO GLCM homogeneity: at 0–480 s; all P < .05). Median bubble diameters in the SPGM group and in the 3WSC group were 69 and 83 μm (P < .01), respectively, in the POL foam; and 36 and 36 μm (P = .45), respectively, in the EO foam.ConclusionsPOL and EO foams had greater uniformity and longer foam half-life time when prepared with an SPGM device than with a 3WSC.     

胃肠安丸对葡聚糖硫酸钠诱导溃疡性结肠炎小鼠的治疗作用及机制

目的探讨胃肠安丸对葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导溃疡性结肠炎小鼠的治疗作用及机制。方法SPF级C57BL/6小鼠60只,除正常对照组小鼠外,其余小鼠均给予2.5%DSS水溶液,自由饮用7 d制备溃疡性结肠炎模型,模型评价后再随机分为模型组、美沙拉嗪组及胃肠安丸高剂量组、中剂量组、低剂量组。胃肠安丸低、中、高剂量组分别给予0.015、0.03、0.06 g/(kg·d)胃肠安丸混悬液0.5 mL灌胃,1次/d;美沙拉嗪组给予0.52 g/(kg·d)美沙拉嗪混悬液0.5 mL灌胃,1次/d;正常对照组和模型组给予等体积纯水灌胃,均连续干预10 d。对比各组小鼠疾病活动指数(DAI)评分、结肠长度,用HE染色观察小鼠结肠组织病理形态学变化,用流式细胞术检测脾组织中Treg、Th17、CD4^+、CD8^+细胞百分比,ELISA法检测血清细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、IL-10、CRP水平。结果药物干预过程中,各组小鼠体质量均逐日增加,腹泻、便血、体质量下降等症状逐日缓解,与模型组相比,美沙拉嗪组和胃肠安丸高剂量组能更快地缓解上述症状,2组DAI评分逐日下降(P<0.05)。药物干预结束后,与模型组比较,胃肠安丸高剂量组和美沙拉嗪组小鼠结肠较长(P<0.05),结肠组织充血、间质水肿及炎性细胞浸润较轻,CD4^+、CD8^+、Treg细胞百分比及血清IL-10水平较高(P<0.05),Th17细胞百分比及血清TNF-α、IL-6、IL-8、CRP水平较低(P<0.05)。结论胃肠安丸对DSS诱导的小鼠肠道黏膜损伤有一定的修复作用,其作用机制可能与恢复Treg/Th17免疫平衡以及调节相关细胞因子水平有关。     

Targeted drug delivery of Methotrexate in situ gels for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is considered a debilitating disease that increases the risk of significant morbidity and premature mortality. To circumvent drug-related toxicity and ineffectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs, there is a significant need for an advanced delivery system that increases bioavailability. The feasibility of in situ gel of methotrexate sodium (MTS) as an effective management for Rheumatoid arthritis was investigated. It was formulated with pluronic F-127 (PLF-127) as primary polymer, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose K4M (HK4M), and polycarbophil (PCL) as a copolymer and characterized by various parameters. The efficacy evaluation by Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) model, biocompatibility assessment by histopathological studies conducted. The optimized in situ gel (M4) was thermoresponsive, released 93.26 ± 2.39% MTS at 96 hours. In addition, distribution of MTS was even in the optimized sterile and syringeable in situ gel. In vivo studies on wistar rats demonstrated a substantial reduction in paw oedema during the 28-day study period and were biocompatible with the tissues at the injection site. The study was successful in formulating, optimizing MTS in situ gel for effective management of RA.     

肾炎方联合缬沙坦分散片对慢性肾小球肾炎患者的疗效与肾功能的影响

目的:探究肾炎方联合缬沙坦分散片治疗慢性肾小球肾炎患者的疗效及对肾功能的影响。方法:选取2016年2月至2019年2月重庆医科大学附属一医院合川医院肾脏内科收治的慢性肾小球肾炎患者122例作为研究对象,随机分为对照组和观察组,每组61例。对照组患者采用下缬沙坦分散片治疗,观察组在对照组基础上采用自拟肾炎方与缬沙坦分散片联合治疗,分析比较2组患者的肾功能指标的动态变化、炎性因子的表达水平、临床疗效及治疗后不良反应。结果:治疗后观察组TC、TG、BUN、Scr及24 hUPE5项指标的动态变化均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),且观察组ALB动态变化高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗后观察组IL-6、IL-10、CRP及TNF-α水平明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),观察组治疗有效率(98.4%)优于对照组(86.9%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);观察组不良反应发生率(6.6%)低于对照组(31.1%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:采用自拟肾炎方与缬沙坦分散片联合的治疗方案可增强疗效,提升肾功能,降低促炎性因子的表达水平及不良反应,值得在临床中推广普及。     

血抗栓汤内服联合西医治疗急性脑梗死疗效分析

目的观察活血抗栓汤联合奥扎格雷钠治疗急性脑梗死疗效。方法将80患者按抽签法分为观察组和对照组各40例。对照组奥扎格雷钠氯化钠注射液,500 mL/次,2次/d,静滴,治疗2周。治疗组在对照组基础上加用活血抗栓汤,水煎200 mL,1剂/d,2次/d,治疗2周。观测临床症状、神经功能、日常生活能力、凝血功能。结果治疗后,观察组红细胞聚集指数、血细胞容积、纤维蛋白原、全血高切黏度、血浆比黏度改善程度高于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗前,两组ADL评分、NIHSS评分比较,无显著差异(P>0.05),治疗后,观察组NIHSS评分低于对照组,ADL评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论血抗栓汤内服联合西医治疗急性脑梗死,可改善凝血功,值得推广。     

乌灵胶囊治疗焦虑性失眠症临床研究

目的:观察乌灵胶囊对焦虑性失眠症患者的心理及睡眠质量的改善效果,为临床治疗焦虑性失眠症提供参考。方法:选择159例焦虑性失眠症患者为研究对象。按照随机数字表法分为对照组79例与观察组80例。对照组给予盐酸帕罗西汀片治疗,观察组给予乌灵胶囊治疗。治疗1个月后,比较分析2组患者睡眠质量、汉密尔顿焦虑量表评分(HAMA)及不良反应发生情况。结果:观察组总有效率为91.25%,明显高于对照组的78.48%(P<0.05)。治疗前,2组患者HAMA评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);治疗1、2个月后,观察组HAMA评分明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组总不良反应发生率为6.25%,明显低于对照组的18.99%(P<0.05)。结论:乌灵胶囊治疗焦虑性失眠症能明显改善患者的睡眠质量以及心理状况,值得推广应用。     

妇炎舒胶囊联合抗生素治疗慢性盆腔炎疗效分析

目的观察中药妇炎舒胶囊联合盐酸左氧氟沙星片和甲硝唑片治疗慢性盆腔炎患者的疗效和相关炎性因子的影响。方法收取118例湿热瘀结型慢性盆腔炎的患者,随机分为实验组(A组)和对照组(B组)各59例。A组给予妇炎舒胶囊56 d,B组妇炎舒胶囊模拟剂56 d,两组均服用盐酸左氧氟沙星片+甲硝唑片用药14 d。患者服药56 d后观察临床有效率及治疗前后血清中肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α),干扰素-γ(Interferon,IFN-γ)因子含量的变化;随访1个月经周期后观察者复发率及慢性盆腔痛情况。结果(1)A组中医证候积分有效率明显高于B组,且差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。(2)治疗后A组患者外周血中TNF-α和IFN-γ的含量明显低于B组,具有显著统计学差异(P<0.01)。(3)A组随访复发率(10.17%vs 96.61%)和后遗盆腔痛(18.64%vs 86.44%)均显著低于B组(P<0.01)。结论中药妇炎舒胶囊联合抗生素治疗湿热瘀结型慢性盆腔炎疗效显著,并能够降低慢性盆腔炎的复发率和慢性盆腔痛,并能通过适当降低外周血中TNF-α、IFN-γ等炎性因子的形成,起到治疗作用。