Fibroblast Counts Research Articles

EFFECT OF CRUDE EXTRACT AND PHYTOSTEROL FRACTION OF FUMARIA OFFICINALIS IN INDUCED HYPERTROPHIC SCAR OF RABBITS

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the role of crude extract and phytosterol fraction of Fumaria officinalis in experimentally induced hypertrophic scar in rabbits.
 Methods: Surgical wounds were performed on day 1 with an 8‑mm biopsy punch four wounds were created on the ventral surface of the rabbit ear (in vivo) down to cartilage. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), crude and phytosterol extracts of F. officinalis L. are administered topically to established scars on day 31. The outcome measures included study of histopathology of skin sections, transforming growth factor beta‑1 (TGF‑β1), level, and collagen three alpha1 in skin tissue.
 Results: In comparison with the induced hypertrophic scar, all treatment produced a significant reduction in scores of TGFβ1, collagen III, inflammation, and measurement of SEI (p ≤ 0.01). The most significant reduction in inflammation and thickness observed in TAC and extract of crude F. officinalis L. Only crude F. officinalis L. decrease fibroblast counts in comparison to induced hypertrophic scar group and other group (p ≤ 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found between the treatment groups in terms of TGF β1and collagen III.
 Conclusion: Topical crude extract of F. officinalis L. was more effective in the treatment of induced hypertrophic scar as compared with phytosterol of F. officinalis L. and comparable to the effectiveness of topical TAC.

Early intervention of fractional carbon dioxide laser on fresh traumatic scar

To determine the combined therapeutic effect of fractional carbon dioxide laser and silicone gel on fresh traumatic scars using a rabbit ear hypertrophic scar (EHS) model, as well as on human subjects. The rabbit EHS model was established by punching four circular wounds in each ear and respectively treated with carbon dioxide laser, silicone gel, and the combination of both, while one wound was left untreated. In addition, a validation group of five rabbits was also included wherein the wounds were treated with triamcinolone, IFN-α, and normal saline, with one untreated control. The gross hyperplasic changes and the histological features were analyzed, and the scar elevation index (SEI) was calculated for each treatment group. In the rabbit model, the untreated control wounds showed hypertrophic growth, whereas triamcinolone or IFN-α showed an inhibitory effect, similar to that on hypertrophic scars in humans, thereby proving the feasibility of our animal model. The SEI peaked 2 months after treatment and was respectively 2.28 ± 0.56, 1.85 ± 0.33, 1.91 ± 0.34, and 1.45 ± 0.22 in the untreated control, and the silicone, laser, and combined treatment groups, clearly indicating a significant therapeutic effect of the combined treatment modality (p < 0.01). The fibroblast and microvascular counts also showed similar trends in each group. Early application of fractional carbon dioxide laser can prevent hypertrophic scars; the combined use of laser and silicone gel was more effective with less recovery time, thereby worthy of clinical promotion.

Immunohistochemical Grading of Epidural Fibrosis with CD105 Antibody

Grading of epidural fibrosis (EF) is usually performed by histopathologic staining in experimental studies. Immunohistochemical methods for grading are not available in routine practice yet. In our study, the effect of tranexamic acid (TXA), a commonly used hemostatic agent in surgical interventions, was evaluated for use against the development of EF with classical histopathologic methods and immunohistochemistry using the CD105 antibody, a marker of angiogenesis. Sixteen rats were used. The rats were assigned to 2 groups, control and TXA. Laminectomy was performed on the control group. In the treatment group, laminectomy+ topical TXA was applied. After sacrificing the rats in the sixth week, histopathologic and immunohistochemical examinations and grading of the EF tissue were performed. Conventional histopathologic parameters of fibroblast count, intensity of fibrosis density, and inflammatory cell density, as well as immunohistochemical evaluation with CD105, showed that the grading of EF was comparable between groups I and II (P < 0.001). The results of our study have demonstrated that CD105 is compatible with the conventional histopathologic grading methods and can be used as a marker to determine the grades of angiogenesis and fibrosis in experimental studies. The results of our study have also shown that TXA, administered locally for hemostasis, reduces the grade of EF in rats following laminectomy. TXA has been observed to cause no toxic effects on neural tissue as it is already commonly used in clinical practice.

Hyaluronic acid in tobacco-exposed rats. Inflammatory reaction, and duration of effect1.

Purpose To evaluate the hyaluronic acid (HA) inflammatory reaction, fibroblasts, fibrosis and duration of effect in the dorsal region of tobacco-exposed rats. MethodsTen Wistar rats were divided into two groups: tobacco-exposed-group (TEG;n=5) and air-control-group (CG;n=5). The TEG animals were tobacco-exposed twice a day, 30-minutes/session, during 60 days. After this period, all animals received 0.1 mL HA subcutaneous injection in the dorsal area. The volume of HA was measured immediately after HA injection and weekly using a hand-caliper in nine weeks. After this period, all the animals were euthanized, and a specimen of was collected to evaluate inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and fibrosis by HE. ResultsThis study showed a higher inflammatory reaction in TEG than CG: inflammatory cell-count (CG: 1.07±0.9; TEG: 8.61±0.36, p<0.001); fibroblast count (CG: 2.92±0.17; TEG: 19.14±0.62, p<0.001), and fibrosis quantification (CG: 2.0; TEG: 3.75, p<0.001). The analysis of the HA volume in nine weeks in the dorsal region did not show a difference between groups (p=0.39). ConclusionsThis study suggested that the HA injection in the TEG caused an increase in inflammatory cell count, fibroblast, and fibrosis quantification when compared to the CG. There was no difference in the duration of effect of HA between the groups.

The effect on wound healing of pazopanib and bevacizumab compared with corticosteroid in experimental glaucoma filtration surgery.

To compare the effects of bevacizumab and pazopanib with corticosteroids on wound healing after trabeculectomy. In the study, 35 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into five groups. Apart from the first group, limbus-based trabeculectomy was performed for the eyes of rabbits. No postoperative treatment was administered for group I. Topically administered saline, prednisolone acetate (1%), bevacizumab 5 mg/mL, pazopanib 5 mg/mL for group II, III, IV and V respectively were applied for groups 6h daily for 28d. On day 28 of the experiment, eyes were enucleated and histologically and immunohistochemically analyzed. The fibroblast counts of groups IV and V were determined to be lower than those of groups II and III (P<0.05). In the mononuclear cell (MNC) count evaluation, no statistically significant difference was determined between the treatment groups (P>0.05). The immunohistochemical staining intensity of fibroblast growth factor β (FGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was determined to be lower in groups IV and V than in groups II and III (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined between groups IV and V in respect of fibroblast count, MNC count, FGF-β and VEGF staining intensity (P>0.05). The platelet derived growth factor β (PDGF-β) intensity was lower in group V than in groups II, III and IV (P<0.05). While the PDGF-β staining intensity was significantly lower in group IV than in group II, the difference compared with group III was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Bevacizumab and pazopanib might be good alternatives of corticosteroid treatment on delaying wound healing in glaucoma surgery.

Evaluation of Bevacizumab for the Treatment of Epidural Fibrosis by Immunohistochemical Staining for CD105 and Osteopontin.

To evaluate bevacizumab for epidural fibrosis (EF) treatment in an experimental rat model using histopathology as well as immunohistochemical staining for CD105 and osteopontin (OPN). Sixteen Wistar Albino rats underwent either laminectomy alone to induce EF (group I, control) or laminectomy plus local bevacizumab treatment (group II). The degree of EF was compared between groups using the current histopathological grading method as well as immunohistochemistry for CD105 and OPN. In addition, the consistency of EF staging using CD105 and OPN expression was compared to that using histopathology. The grade of EF was significantly lower in group II than in group I based on the fibroblast count and fibrosis density determined using histopathology, as well as by CD105 expression determined using immunohistochemistry. In contrast, OPN expression was not a reliable marker for EF evaluation because it did not show a significant difference between the two groups. Bevacizumab prevents EF development as assessed using both histopathology and CD105 expression. CD105 is a potentially reliable marker for the immunohistochemical grading of EF, in contrast to OPN.

The effect of sodium hyaluronate-carboxymethyl cellulose membrane in the prevention of parenchymal air leaks: an experimental and manometric study in rats.

We aimed to examine effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate-carboxymethly cellulose (NaH/CMC) for sealing pulmonary air leaks during postoperative period. The study was conducted in 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats. A linear insicion (length= 0.2 cm, depth= 0.1 cm) to the lung parenchyma on the inflated by a cutter was made. The animals were randomly divided; the control group (n= 8) and NaH/CMC-treated group (the study group, n= 8). Control group was left for physiologic healing while a NaH/CMC membrane was applied over the the incisional area in the study group. Then the pressure point where the air leakage observed was noted. No polymorphonucleer leucocytes (PMNL) infiltration was detected in control group, whereas PMNL infiltration was 0.38 ± 0.5 cell per 100 high field in study group (p= 0.234). The degree of macrophage, lymphocyte infiltration and the mean fibroblast count were found to be higher in study group compared with control group (p= 0.007, p= 0.02, p= 0.05, respectively). The mean pressure value for air leak to occur in the control group was 43.50 ± 9.55 mmHg whereas it was 73.75 ± 16.68 mmHg in the study group (p< 0.001). The data revealed that bioabsorbable NaH/CMC membrane accelerates healing with preserving the expansile character of lung parenchyma even in high ventilation pressures. However, further studies are required to assess the prevent impact of the pulmonary air-leak for NaH/CMC membrane.

The Damage Sensory Molecule TRPA1 Positively Regulates Endogenous Thymic Regeneration after Damage

The thymus is extremely sensitive to exogenous insults but has a remarkable capacity to regenerate which is lost with age. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate early after tissue damage and despite their toxic potential, ROS and their byproducts (such as lipid peroxidation products-LPPs) can act as regeneration signals by activating membrane or intracellular sensors and subsequent stress-response signalling pathways. Using Sublethal Total Body Irradiation (SL-TBI) as a model of acute thymic injury, we found a rapid accumulation of thymic ROS as well as lipid peroxidation products on cell membranes after SLTBI (Figure 1A&B).The damage-sensing ion channel Transient Receptor Potential cation channel family A member 1 (TRPA1) represents one of the major damage sensing receptors that can mediate cellular responses to oxidative stress mediators, such as LPPs. Using immunofluorescence (IF) microscopy we found that TRPA1 is enriched in the thymic medulla. Interestingly, although TRPA1 has been classically identified in nociceptive fibers, the major TRPA1 expressing structures in the thymus were not nerve fiber terminals, but primarily thymic endothelial cells (Figure1C), fibroblasts and subsets of epithelial cells. We have recently demonstrated that thymic endothelial cells can regulate regeneration through secretion of BMP-4, which can enhance Foxn1 expression and proliferation of thymic epithelial cells. In order to assess the functional role of TRPA1 in thymic regeneration after injury, we utilized TRPA1 knockout (TRPA1-/-) mice and quantified thymic reconstitution after SL-TBI. TRPA1-/- mice had significantly lower thymic cellularity compared to their age- and sex-matched WT controls, suggesting an association between TRPA1 deficiency and delayed endogenous thymic recovery (Figure 1D). The major deficit in thymocyte counts primarily affected double negative-4 (DN4), double positive (DP) and CD4+ single positive (SP-CD4+) thymocyte numbers. The thymic stroma of TRPA1-/- mice had lower endothelial cell and fibroblast counts (Figure 1D). In accordance with these findings drinking water administration of the TRPA1 agonist Allyl-Isothiocyanate (AITC), resulted in enhanced thymic regeneration after radiation exposure. Besides its positive effects on thymocyte counts, AITC significantly augmented endothelial cell counts after irradiation (Figure 1E).In conclusion these results suggest that TRPA1 plays a non-redundant role in thymic regeneration and that exogenous TRPA1 stimulation can enhance immune recovery after damage. [Display omitted] Disclosuresvan den Brink:Seres: Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; PureTech Health: Consultancy; Therakos Institute: Other: Speaking engagement.

Cell activity during peripheral nerve defect repair process using a nerve scaffold.

Peripheral nerve defects, but not artificial nerves, are repaired by endogenous cells. We examined cell activity during the repair process in the presence of autologous nerves and artificial preparations in order to guide future artificial nerve fabrication. PLGA tubes, nerve scaffolds comprising a PLGA tube plus 6,000 fibroin fibers, or autologous nerves were implanted into 10 mm rat sciatic nerve defects (n = 60 per group). Over a period of 1-20 weeks after nerve grafting, sections were stained and imaged to distinguish the cell types present and we quantified the recovery of motor and sensory function in the surgically implanted limb. We observed a decreasing trend in inflammatory cell and fibroblast counts over time which ranked in magnitude as: (PLGA group > nerve scaffold > autologous nerve> sham) and an opposite trend in Schwann cell counts. Differences in withdrawal time from hot water and static sciatic index (SSI) indicated that, after repair, sensory and motor function were best in the sham group, followed by the autologous group, the nerve scaffold group, and the PLGA group. These findings indicate that the inflammatory reaction is significant in the first two weeks after nerve grafting, followed by the rebirth of fibroblasts and Schwann cells, which guide axon regeneration. This inflammatory response was a fundamental stage of peripheral defect repair, but a weaker inflammatory response corresponded to better recovery of sensorimotor functional.

Age-Related Changes in the Expression of Lamin B Receptors in Human Dermal Fibroblasts

The goal of this research was to study the content of lamin B receptors in human dermal fibroblasts during different age periods (from a 20-week pregnancy to the age of 85) in correlation with their proliferative activity. Lamin B receptors and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were identified in skin sections by indirect immunohistochemistry. Our results have shown that an increase in the share of fibroblasts with positive staining for the lamin B receptors and an increase in the expression level of lamin B receptors in fibroblast nuclei are observed during the period from age zero to 20 years of age as compared with other age periods. The total fibroblast count, including positively PCNA-stained dermal fibroblasts, decreased most significantly from the age of 20. The increase in the content of lamin B receptors in dermal fibroblasts, which is observed from birth until the age of 20, can be considered one of the triggering moments leading to the agedependent decrease in counts of human dermal fibroblasts.

IMPACT OF OMEGA -3 ON HEALING OF BUCCAL TRAUMATIC ULCER OF ALBINO RATS (HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL STUDY)

Introduction: Ulcers are one of the most frequent diseases affecting the oral cavity. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of omega-3 on healing of buccal traumatic ulcer in rat. Materials and methods: In this study adult male rats in 2 groups (n = 15 per group) were used. A wound circular in shape (4 mm diameter and 2 mm depth) was punched into the buccal mucosa of each rat using biopsy punch. The control group was not treated, the study group was treated with 93mg/kg body weight omega-3 that was guided to the stomach by gastric gavage. Histological samples were harvested on post-injury days 3, 7 and 14. Results: The study group had high reepithelialization and connective tissue healing score on day 7 and 14. The control group had high inflammation score on day 3 and 7, and low reepithelializtion score on day 3, 7 and 14. Conclusion: Omega-3 compound increases fibroblast counts and decreases inflammatory cell counts, and also causes an increase in reepithelialization and epithelial thickness.

The prognostic significance of cancer-associated fibroblasts in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts are abundant in the desmoplastic stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and are considered to play important roles in tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the expression status of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, periostin, fibroblast-activated protein, and the newly developed proCOL11A1 antibody in the stroma of surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and their prognostic implications. Tissue microarrays were constructed from 155 surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and paired non-neoplastic pancreata and from another independent set of 48 normal/benign pancreata, and immunohistochemical stains were performed for proCOL11A1, fibroblast-activated protein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, and periostin. The immunohistochemical stain results were correlated with clinicopathological features and survival data. proCOL11A1, fibroblast-activated protein, secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, and periostin expression was significantly increased in the intratumoral stroma of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas compared to paired non-neoplastic pancreata (proCOL11A1: 145/155 (93.5%) vs 26/154 (16.9%); fibroblast-activated protein: 139/143 (97.2%) vs 82/132 (62.1%); secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine: 113/150 (75.3%) vs 49/132 (37.1%); periostin: 135/151 (89.4%) vs 45/135 (33.3%); p < 0.001, all). While the four markers were expressed at lower levels in normal/benign pancreata, there were no significant differences in the expression frequencies among normal pancreas, acute pancreatitis, and chronic pancreatitis. Interestingly, on survival analysis, low intratumoral fibroblast-activated protein+ cancer-associated fibroblast counts (<100/high-power field) were associated with a significantly reduced overall survival compared to those with high fibroblast-activated protein+ cancer-associated fibroblast counts (p = 0.010; hazard ratio 5.2 (95% confidence interval 1.3-21.3)). Similar patterns were seen for proCOL11A and secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine and overall and disease-free survival, although not statistically significant. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the presence of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor stroma may not always be associated with a poor prognosis as suggested in many studies; on the contrary, it may even be associated with prolonged survival, supporting the recent experimental findings that tumor stroma may have a protective role rather than enhance aggressive behavior.

Effectiveness of topical application of ostrich oil on the healing of Staphylococcus aureus- and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected wounds

ABSTRACTBackground/aims: Management of infected wounds is one of the major challenges that surgeons and nurses face. Several antimicrobial agents have been used, but the toxicity, drug resistance, and their effect on the healing process remain a matter of concern. The present study was designed to analyze the accelerative impact of topical application of ostrich oil on infected wounds in a mouse model. Materials and methods: 72 BALB/c mice were divided into four main groups of control-sham, mupirocin, and two treatment groups receiving 2% and 4% (w/w) concentrations of ostrich oil, topically. The mice were routinely anesthetized and wounds were created by excising the skin with a 5-mm biopsy punch. Immediately after wounding, an aliquot of 25 × 107 Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was suspended in 50-μL phosphate-buffered saline and applied on the wound and the wound was left open. The healing rate in the infected wound was assessed using wound area, histopathological characteristics, and expression of growth factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2). Results: The wound area significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the treated animals. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in new vessels, fibroblasts count, and collagen deposition in the ostrich oil-treated animals. Expression of VEGF, TGF-β1, and FGF-2 revealed the immunomodulation and angiogenesis effects of the ostrich oil on wound healing. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that ostrich oil may be a useful treatment in infected cutaneous wounds.

Effects of Therapeutic Touch on Healing of the Skin in Rats

Therapeutic touch is a complementary treatment directed toward the balance of the energy field surrounding living beings. This study's aim was to investigate the effect of therapeutic touch on wound area contraction and fibroblast proliferation in rat skin. This study was conducted using 24 male Wistar rats with dorsal wounds of diameter 8mm. The rats were divided into the following two groups: a control group: in this, the wounds were sanitized with filtered water and neutral-pH soap and a treatment group: in this, the wounds were sanitized as in the control group but the rats also underwent to daily sessions of therapeutic touch. Wound area was measured on days 1, 4, and 7 using imagelab software, version 2.4 R.C. On days 4 and 7, six animals in each group were euthanized so that the lesioned tissue could be collected for fibroblast counts and histological evaluations. On days 1 and 4, wound areas were similar in both groups. Moreover, no significant differences in fibroblast counts were observed on day 4. On day 7, however, fibroblast counts were significantly higher in the treated group than in the control group, with a subsequent wound shrinkage. These data indicate that therapeutic touch may accelerate wound repair, possibly by increasing fibroblast activity.

Influence of olive oil on alveolar bone response during orthodontic retention period: rabbit model study

Objectives: This study attempted to evaluate clinically and histologically the effects of olive oil (Ol) consumption on orthodontic relapse after the retention period.Design: Thirty apparently healthy female albino rabbits, weight more than 1000 g each was used in this study. The animals were grouped randomly into six groups of five animals each: two control and four experimental groups. In control groups, the relapse was estimated either at zero day, or at the end of the fourth week after orthodontic retention period. In the experimental groups, the animals' groups received Ol, 7.7, or 15.4 ml/kg b.w. per day during the orthodontic retention period. The relapse was estimated either at zero day, or at the end of the fourth week after orthodontic retention period for each concentration.Modified fixed orthodontic appliances were attached to the rabbits’ lower central incisors. Each rabbit received orthodontic intervention for one week, followed by six weeks retention period. At the end of the experiments, the clinical and histological investigations were conducted. Data analyses were performed at the level of p < .05 for the statistically significant difference.Results: Clinically, Ol high concentration four weeks group showed a significantly lower relapse tendency than control four weeks group. Histologically, Ol low concentration zero time group showed significantly higher osteoblasts numbers than control zero time group. Olive oil low and high concentrations four weeks group showed significantly lower fibroblasts count. Moreover, Ol high concentration four weeks group revealed significantly higher bone mineralization, osteoblasts and osteocytes counts than control four weeks study group.Conclusions: Supplementation with Ol during an orthodontic retention period, especially at 15.4 ml/kg b.w. per day concentration, clinically reduced orthodontic relapse on rabbit model. Histologically, Ol increased osteoblasts and osteocytes counts and the relative amount of bone mineralization of connective tissue layer forming alveolar bone (AB) at the end of four weeks after the orthodontic retention period.

Impact of the nature of the temporalis fascia graft on the outcome of type I underlay tympanoplasty.

Temporalis fascia has become the most widely used graft for tympanoplasty, as it is strong, durable, and easy to procure and handle. However, the type of temporalis fascia graft to use (i.e. dry or wet) remains controversial. The present review aimed to evaluate the success rates of dry and wet temporalis fascia grafts in type I underlay tympanoplasty. A literature search was performed, using PubMed up to August 2016, to identify all studies of dry and wet temporalis fascia grafts in type I underlay tympanoplasty. The initial search using the key words 'temporalis fascia' and 'tympanoplasty' identified 130 articles; these were screened by reviewing the titles or abstracts based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, this review included seven articles. A dry or wet temporalis fascia graft did not affect the outcome of type I underlay tympanoplasty. However, using wet temporalis fascia could shorten the duration of surgery in type I underlay tympanoplasty. Concerns that the fibroblast count of temporalis fascia may beneficially affect success rate have not been substantiated in clinical reports thus far.

Study of SMAD-Dependent Signal Pathway in the Development of Early Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice Infected with Influenza A/H1N1 Virus.

Early fibrosis of the visceral organs is one of the main complications of infection caused by influenza A virus. Structural manifestations and molecular regulators of the epithelialmesenchymal transformation as a possible mechanism of fibrosis progression were studied in mice infected with influenza A/H1N1 A/Tomsk/13/2010 virus. We found early fibrosis of the lungs against the background of minor changes in fibroblast count. However, enhanced expression of TGF-β and SMAD-2 by macrophages and alveolocytes attested to possible development of epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and its contribution to activation of fibrogenesis process in the lungs.

A rat long-lasting cystitis model induced by intravesical injection of hydrogen peroxide.

Novel longer lasting inflammatory bladder animal models are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of chronic cystitis. We previously developed a relatively long‐lasting mouse cystitis model by intravesical injection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). To further evaluate its pathophysiology, in this study, we established and analyzed a rat cystitis model. Under anesthesia, 1.5% H2O2 solution was introduced transurethrally into the bladder of female rats, and kept for 30 min. The H2O2 injection significantly increased the number of micturition events up to day 14 and decreased urine volume per micturition, with the smallest volumes on day 3, compared with the vehicle‐treated group. Cystometric analysis on day 7 revealed that intercontraction intervals were significantly shortened without affecting the baseline, threshold, or maximum pressures. Intravesical resiniferatoxin‐evoked nociceptive behaviors, such as freezing, were significantly enhanced on days 7 and 14. Furthermore, histopathology revealed hemorrhage, edema, infiltration of neutrophils into the lamina propria, and urothelial denudation in the early phase (day 1). These damages were gradually repaired, while hyperplasia of the urothelium, vascularization, increases in fibroblast counts, and infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils were observed through the later phase (days 7 and 14). These results suggest that intravesical H2O2 injection induces relatively long‐lasting cystitis with enhanced bladder activity and pain sensation in rats. This approach thus provides a novel rat long‐lasting cystitis model that allows us to analyze detailed symptoms and pathophysiology of H2O2‐induced cystitis model than the mouse model and may be used to investigate the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic bladder hypersensitive disorders, such as bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Tympanoplasty: does dry or wet temporalis fascia graft matter?

To evaluate the success rate of dry and wet temporalis fascia grafts in type I underlay tympanoplasty. A prospective, randomised study was conducted. One hundred adult patients (males and females) with chronic suppurative otitis media (mucosal type) were divided into 2 groups of 50 each: one group underwent dry graft tympanoplasty and the other underwent wet graft tympanoplasty. Fibroblast count was calculated in dry and wet grafts. The dry graft and wet graft groups had overall surgical success rates of 82 and 90 per cent, respectively; this finding was not statistically significant. A statistically significant high fibroblast count was observed in wet grafts, but it did not correlate with surgical success. A dry or wet temporalis fascia graft does not influence the outcome of tympanoplasty type I.

Hydroxycamptothecin induces apoptosis of fibroblasts and prevents intraarticular scar adhesion in rabbits by activating the IRE-1 signal pathway

Hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) has been proven to prevent intraarticular scar adhesion, but the mechanism is still unclear. ER stress is known to participate in many diseases, and the IRE-1 signal pathway has been reported in fibrotic diseases. The aim of this study was to illustrate the mechanism of HCPT-induced apoptosis in fibroblasts and the prevention of intraarticular scar adhesion. The effects of HCPT on fibroblasts were determined by CCK-8 assay, Hoechst staining and Western blot. The effect of HCPT on intraarticular scar adhesion was detected by macroscopic evaluation, hydroxyproline content, histological evaluation, fibroblast counting and immunohistochemical analysis. HCPT induced apoptosis of fibroblasts, according to CCK-8 assays, Hoechst staining and Western blot analysis. As the concentration of HCPT increased, the expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), inositol-requiring kinase1 (IRE-1), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and Bax were all increased, but the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased. Knockdown of IRE-1 alleviated the HCPT-induced apoptosis in our fibroblast model. HCPT could prevent intraarticular scar adhesion, according to the results of macroscopic evaluation, hydroxyproline content, histological evaluation and fibroblast counting in a rabbit model. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that IRE-1 expression increased as the concentration increased. The present study showed that the IRE-1 signal pathway might be involved in HCPT-induced apoptosis of fibroblast and might play a role in preventing intraarticular scar adhesion.