Abstract As one of classic Chinese kidney-tonifying herbal medicines, Taxillus chinensis (DC.) Danser is widely applied in Chinese folk medicine as herbal tea for nutraceutical purposes including nourishing kidney, strengthening muscle and bone to against weakness, etc. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of aqueous extracts from Taxillus chinensis (AETCs) on the ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis in rats. Results showed that AETC treatment at the dose of 12.0 g raw materials/kg for 12 weeks significantly enhanced the bone mineral densities of femur and tibia, improved the trabecular microarchitecture compared with OVX controls. The serum levels of osteogenic markers alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were increased, and the levels of bone resorption biomarkers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b and telopeptides of collagen type I were suppressed by AETCs. Moreover, 12.0 g raw materials/kg AETC treatment significantly reduced the OVX-induced up-regulation of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and protein expression in bone tissues. Data suggested that AETCs showed anti-osteoporotic effect in OVX rats, possibly via promoting bone formation and inhibiting bone absorption. The down-regulation of inflammatory COX-2 might be involved in the protection of AETCs against OVX –induced osteoporosis.

Abstract Purpose In view of the principal role of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in mediating sterile inflammatory response contributing to osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis, we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a known TLR4 activator, to clarify whether modulation of TLR4 contributed to the protective actions of intra-articular administration of curcumin in a classical rat OA model surgically induced by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). Methods The rats underwent ACLT and received 50μl of curcumin at the concentration of 1 mg mL-1 and 10 μg LPS by intra-articular injection once a week for 8 weeks. Morphological changes of the cartilage and synovial tissues were observed. Apoptotic chondrocytes were detected using TUNEL assay. The concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-ɑ in synovial fluid were determined using ELISA kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4 and NF-κB p65 were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Intra-articular administration of curcumin significantly improved articular cartilage injury, suppressed synovial inflammation and down-regulated the overexpression of TLR4 and its downstream NF-κB caused by LPS-induced TLR4 activation in rat osteoarthritic knees. Conclusion The data suggested that the inhibition of TLR4 signal might be an important mechanism underlying a protective effect of local curcumin administration on OA.

Abstract Aortopulmonary septal defect, also known as the aortopulmonary window, is a rare congenital macrovascular malformation. This case involves a 9-year-old boy with aortopulmonary septal defect (type I combined with type IV). Before surgery, milrinone and alprostadil were used to counteract high lung pressure. Surgery was performed under cardiopulmonary bypass, following which the pulmonary pressure decreased. The aorta was cut, and the right pulmonary artery opening was connected with the main pulmonary artery septal defect using polyester patch. An internal tunnel was made, and the deformity correction was completed. The child exhibited normal postoperative recovery with no discomfort. A complex aortopulmonary window is a rare condition that can be treated successfully with appropriate preoperative and surgical management.