No abstract

Spermidine has been known to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. However, there are no reports about anti-inflammatory effects of spermidine on osteoarthritis (OA). Herein, we examined whether OA progression could be delayed by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of spermidine in the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and TNF-α induced arthritis (TIA) mouse models. During the process, human FLS cells (H-FLS) were used to investigate the potential ubiquitination mechanism of spermidine-mediated RIP1 in TNF-α-induced NF-κB/p65 signaling. We found that spermidine attenuated synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteophyte formation, resulting in substantially lower OARSI scores and TNF-α scores in spermidine-treated ACLT and TIA mice. In terms of the mechanism, 9 μM spermidine did not affect the viability, proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of H-FLS, and exerted inhibitory effects by activating CYLD-mediated RIP1 deubiquitination on TNF-α-induced NF-κB/p65 signaling in H-FLS. From these data, we can conclude that spermidine attenuates OA progression by the inhibition of TNF-α-induced NF-κB pathway via the deubiquitination of RIP1 in FLS. Therefore, intake of spermidine could be a potential therapy for preventing OA.

As shown in our previous studies, growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer can be regulated by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been revealed. In this study, a proteomics analysis was performed to compare protein expression treated with and without ADSCs in ovarian cancer cells. Protein levels were altered in ovarian cancer cells due to the treatment of ADSCs. Thymosin beta 4 X-linked (TMSB4X) levels changed dramatically, and this protein was identified as one of the most important candidate molecules contributing to the tumour-promoting effects of ADSCs. Compared with the cells that are cultured in the normal growth medium, the TMSB4X levels cultured in ADSC-conditioned medium increased significantly in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, the growth and invasion of cancer cells were decreased, even in the ADSC-conditioned medium treatment group (P < 0.05), by the inhibition of TMSB4X. As shown in the bioluminescence images captured in vivo, increased ovarian cancer's growth and metastasis, along with elevated TMSB4X expression, were observed in the group of ADSC-conditioned medium, and the tumour-promoting effect of ADSCs was attenuated by the inhibition of TMSB4X. Based on our findings, increased TMSB4X expression may play a role in accelerating the ADSC-mediated proliferation, invasion, and migration of ovarian cancers.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of liver cancer, creating enormous economic and social burdens. The Chinese government recommends routine screening of inpatients for HCV before invasive procedures to prevent iatric infections. However, the diagnosis and treatment rates for HCV remain low. The aim of this study was to use available routine screening data to understand the HCV screening of inpatients in different regions of China. Methods Inpatient information and HCV screening results were collected from January 2016 to December 2016 at eight tertiary hospitals in different regions of China to compare the HCV-positivity of hospitalized patients among different regions and age groups. Results The HCV screening rate of inpatients was more than 50%. A total of 467,008 inpatients were enrolled in the study (51.20% were male), and the HCV antibody (anti-HCV) -positive rate was 0.88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85–0.91%) among the total population. This rate was significantly higher among all males compared with all females (0.91% vs 0.85%). Moreover, the HCV antibody-positive rate increased with age and was highest for the 60–64-year age group. Notably, 90.14% (3722/4129) of the anti-HCV seropositive patients were 40 years of age or older. HCV screening for people over 40 years old is recommended. Conclusions This study highlights the key role of routine examination for HCV infection in hospitalized patients. Full use of inpatient screening results to manage HCV antibody-positive patients and a screening strategy targeting inpatients 40 years and older were found to be low-cost and effective, which will help to find the missing millions of yet unaware patients and also accelerate the elimination of HCV in China.