Search

Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol that possesses health-related properties, and is predominantly found in grapes and berries. Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) stimulates osteocalcin synthesis via p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on BMP-4-induced osteoprotegerin (OPG) synthesis in MC3T3-E1 cells. Resveratrol alone had no effect on OPG expression levels, but significantly enhanced BMP-4-induced OPG release. In addition, resveratrol markedly amplified the mRNA expression levels of BMP-4-induced OPG. SB203580 is an inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase, which was shown to suppress BMP-4-stimulated OPG release. BMP-4-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was also enhanced by resveratrol. Furthermore, SB203580 significantly reduced the resveratrol-induced amplification of BMP-4-stimulated OPG release. These results suggested that resveratrol was able to upregulate BMP-4-stimulated OPG synthesis via the amplification of p38 MAP kinase activity in osteoblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that glycoprotein Ib/IX/V activation stimulates the release of the soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) via the generation of thromboxane A2 from human platelets. In the present study, the role of Rac, which is a member of the Rho family, was investigated in the thromboxane A2-stimulated release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-AB and sCD40L in human platelets. U46619, a thromboxane receptor agonist, stimulated the activation of Rac time-dependently in human platelets, and NSC23766, a selective inhibitor of the Rac-guanine nucleotide exchange factor interaction, reduced the U46619-induced platelet aggregation. NSC23766 markedly suppressed the U46619-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation. The thromboxane A2-induced release of PDGF-AB and sCD40L was significantly suppressed by NSC23766 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, NSC23766 reduced the sCD40L release stimulated by ristocetin, a glycoprotein Ib/IX/V activator. These results indicate that Rac regulates the thromboxane A2-induced stimulation of PDGF-AB secretion and sCD40L release via the p38 MAP kinase in human platelets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes a case of leg lymphedema due to iliopectineal bursitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which was satisfactorily controlled by surgery and combination therapy with methotrexate (MTX) and tacrolimus. A 68-year-old male, who had a six-year history of RA, developed an iliopectineal bursa associated with destruction of the hip joint. The mass gradually increased in size, and there was swelling in his right lower extremity. The patient was subsequently hospitalized with increasing right hip pain and leg edema. A colorless transparent lymph fluid leaked from his leg, and leg lymphedema was thus diagnosed. The patient also had a 20-year history of myelodysplastic syndrome. Therefore, the extensive or total resection of the bursa was considered to be too invasive, so a partial bursal excision was performed via an anterior approach. Following the partial bursal excision, total hip arthroplasty (THA) was performed using the Hardinge approach. The leg lymphedema disappeared following the surgery, and the iliopectineal bursa was no longer enlarged. MTX and tacrolimus were postoperatively administered to strictly control the RA. The RA was subsequently well controlled, without any increases in the levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase-3. This case demonstrated that iliopectineal bursitis was resolved following THA, without complete excision of the intrapelvic bursa, and that strict RA control led to a good clinical course without recurrent inflammation of the bursa. Similar procedures may be beneficial in other patients contraindicated for resection of the entire bursa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]