Search

Bone healing is a different and unique process that results in complete bone tissue, rather than ending in scar formation. However, more significant bone defects may fail to regenerate and forms scary granulomatous tissue. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of transforming growth factor-β (TGF - β) via platelet rich plasma (PRP) in rabbit tibia bones with segmental bone defects by radiological and immunohistological methods. Tibial segmental defects were performed to adult New Zealand rabbits (n = 10) on both legs. 0.5 mL of PRP was administered to the defect zone on one leg (PRP group), while the other leg was closed without PRP administration (control group). Following six weeks of observation samples were sent for immunohistological examination. According to Allen’s fracture healing score, the mean score was higher in the PRP group compared to the control group (3.2 vs. 1.3). Immunohistological evaluations revealed that in the control group, samples were mostly at the early stages of bone development, whereas in the PRP group, later stages of development were able to be observed (P < 0.05). PRP administration increases bone union, reduces healing time, and it may provide a more cost-effective treatment with fewer complications in segmental bone defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been proved to play an important role in progressive glomerular disease of systemic lupus. The present study investigated the tyrosine kinase inhibitor of PDGF receptor, imatinib, as a novel therapeutic approach for the cure of lupus nephritis in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W)F1 hybrid mice with established disease. Two groups of NZB/W mice (N=30 each group), starting at 5 months of age, were given by gavage vehicle or imatinib (50 mg/kg b.i.d). Fifteen mice for each group were used for the survival study. The remaining were killed at 8 months. Imatinib significantly (P=0.0022) ameliorated animal survival with respect to vehicle. The drug significantly delayed the onset of proteinuria (% proteinuric mice, 7 and 8 months: 33 and 47 vs vehicle, 80 and 87, P<0.05) and limited the impairment of renal function. Imatinib protected the kidney against glomerular hypercellularity and deposits, tubulointerstitial damage, and accumulation of F4/80-positive mononuclear cells and α-smooth actin-positive myofibroblasts. The abnormal transforming growth factor-β mRNA expression in kidneys of lupus mice was reduced by imatinib. In conclusion, findings of amelioration of animal survival and renal manifestations in NZB/W lupus mice with established disease by imatinib suggests the possibility to explore whether imatinib may function as steroid-sparing drug in human lupus nephritis.Kidney International (2006) 70, 97–103. doi:10.1038/sj.ki.5001528; published online 10 May 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]