Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effects of a collagen scaffold-collagen binding brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CBD-BDNF) complex (CSCB) on behavioral, electrophysiological and histological improvements in canine complete spinal cord transection model. Methods: A total of 24 adult female beagle dogs received a complete spinal cord transection at the T12 level in three groups, including SHAM group (n = 8), CTL group (complete spinal cord transection without any treatment, n = 8) and CSCB group (complete spinal cord transection with CSCB, n = 8).Results: CSCB therapeutic group showed markedly functional recovery by Olby score and spinal somatosensory evoked responses (SSERs) assay at 12 weeks after complete spinal cord transection. Furthermore, numerous peripheral myelinated axons aligned parallel to the long axis of the spinal cord were detected in CSCB group dogs. In stark contrast, the injured site was dominated by fibrous and only scattered axons were detected in the edge of spinal cord in CTL group dogs. Conclusion: The CSCB has an evident therapeutic effect by facilitating peripheral nerve infiltrating following the severe spinal cord injury in canine animals.

To investigate the role of puerarin on renal fibrosis and the underlying mechanism in renal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) model. Methods: Rats were intraperitoneally injected with puerarin (50 or 100 mg/kg) per day for one week before renal I/R. The level of renal collagen deposition and interstitial fibrosis were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius Red staining, and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The ferroptosis related factors and TLR4/Nox4-pathway-associated proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results: Puerarin was observed to alleviate renal collagen deposition, interstitial fibrosis and the α-SMA expression induced by I/R. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione (GSH) level were decreased in I/R and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe 2+ level increased. However, puerarin reversed SOD, MDA, GSH and Fe 2+ level changes induced by I/R and H/R. Besides, Western blot indicated that puerarin inhibited the expression of ferroptosis related factors in a dose-dependent manner, which further demonstrated that puerarin had the effect to attenuate ferroptosis. Moreover, the increased expression of TLR/Nox4-pathwayassociated proteins were observed in I/R and H/R group, but puerarin alleviated the elevated TLR/Nox4 expression. Conclusion: Our results suggested that puerarin inhibited oxidative stress and ferroptosis induced by I/R and, thus, delayed the progression of renal fibrosis, providing a new target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Linked Content This article is linked to Pol et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14352 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14476.