stromal derived factor-a (sdf-1-a) is a cxc chemokine which has been demonstrated as a recruitment factor for leukocytes to the site of inflammation, infection, injury and following stress. this chemokine has been shown to be expressed by liver cells and in liver diseases. hence, the aim of this study was to examine the expression of sdf-1 by hepatocytes in responses to the stress imposed durin...

OBJECTIVES Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can be used to repair tissues after myocardial infarction (MI) but EPC activators have adverse reactions. Rehmannia glutinosa is a herb used in traditional Chinese medicine, which can promote bone-marrow proliferation and protect the ischemic myocardium. We investigated the effects of Rehmannia glutinosa extract (RGE) on EPCs in a rat model of MI. ...

Objective(s): Previous study has indicated that triiodothyronine (T3) facilitated cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to investigate the effects of T3 on angiogenesis-related factor expression in human osteoblasts of OA subchondral bone.Materials and Methods: The subchondral bone specimens were obtained from O...

AIMS Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) uses ultrasound energy to selectively deliver genes into the myocardium using plasmids conjugated to microbubbles. We hypothesized that repeated delivery of stem cell-mobilizing genes could boost the ability of this therapy to enhance cardiac repair and ventricular function after a myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS Beginning 7 d...

BACKGROUND T helper (Th) cell cytokines modulate inflammation and play a role in biliary atresia (BA). The aim of the study is a cross-sectional assessment of the levels of Th cytokines in the jaundice-free post Kasai procedure patients. METHODS There were 40 jaundice-free patients with BA and 28 normal controls enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 groups, including normal liver function, i...

Diabetic mice are characterized by a disrupted expression pattern of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), and impaired vasculogenesis during healing. Experimental evidence suggests that RLX (relaxin) can improve several parameters associated with wound healing. Therefore we investigated the effects of porcine-derived RLX in diabetes-related wound-healing defects in genetically diabetic mi...

spinal cord injury (sci) is a debilitating disease which leads to progressive functional damages. because of limited axonal regeneration in the central nervous system, there is no or little recovery expected in the patients. different cellular and molecular approaches were investigated in sci animal models. cellular transplantation of stem cells can potentially replace damaged tissue and provid...

AIMS/INTRODUCTION Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors might have pleiotropic protective effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD), in contrast to sulfonylureas. Therefore, we compared various CVD risk factors between vildagliptin and glimepiride. MATERIALS AND METHODS We carried out a randomized, prospective and crossover trial. A total of 16 patients with type 2 diabetes whose glycated hemoglobi...

Regulation of integrin activity enables leukocytes to circulate freely, avoiding inappropriate adhesion while maintaining the ability to adhere quickly at sites of infection or inflammation. This regulation involves at least two components: affinity for ligand and affinity-independent avidity effects such as lateral mobility. Using lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) as a model, we...