Hyaluronic Acid Group Research Articles

High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid Can Be Used as a Food Additive to Improve the Symptoms of Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS).

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a new functional food additive which has the potential to ameliorate persistent inflammation, immunosuppression and catabolism syndrome (PICS), but the biological effects of HA with various molecular weights differ dramatically. To systematically investigate the efficacy of HA in altering PICS symptoms, medium-molecular-weight (MMW) HA was specifically selected to test its intervention effect on a PICS mouse model induced by CLP through oral administration, with high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) HA also participating in the experimental validation process. The results of pathological observations and gut flora showed that MMW HA rapidly alleviated lung lesions and intestinal structural changes in PICS mice in the short term. However, although long-term MMW HA administration significantly reduced the proportions of harmful bacteria in gut flora, inflammatory responses in the intestines and lungs of PICS mice were significantly higher in the MMW HA group than in the HMW HA and LMW HA groups. The use of HMW HA not only rapidly reduced the mortality rate of PICS mice but also improved their grip strength and the recovery of spleen and thymus indices. Furthermore, it consistently promoted the recovery of lung and intestinal tissues in PICS mice, and it also assisted in the sustained restoration of their gut microbiota. These effects were superior to those of LMW HA and MMW HA. The experimental results indicate that HMW weight HA has the greatest potential to be an adjunct in alleviating PICS as a food additive, while the safety of other HAs requires further attention.

Efficacy of Platelet-Rich Plasma Versus Hyaluronic Acid in Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis and leading causes of disability. Intra-articular injection of PRP or steroid may provide benefit for patients suffering from osteoarthritis of knees, preventing, and delaying the need of a larger operative measures as many of the senile patients suffering from OA knee are quite hesitant to undergo any operative measure for the same. Materials and Methods: This was prospective type of study, with randomised selection of the patients for the assessment of outcome of treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis with intra articular injections of PRP or hyaluronic acid. This study was carried out in the department of orthopaedics at our institute. In this study both injections given superolaterally weekly for 3 weeks. Study conducted over 2 years, a total of 50 patients suffering from OA knee were included in the study depending upon inclusion criteria. These patients were randomly selected for injection in a sequential manner i.e., case number 1,3,5,7 and so on sequentially were given injection HA. Case number 2,4,6,8 and so on sequentially were given injection PRP. Patients were evaluated prospectively at enrolment and at 6 weeks, 3 and 6-months follow-up with WOMAC and KSS scores. Results: PRP seems to be more efficient as compared to HA in salvaging knee in osteoarthritis. It can work as a salvaging agent in mild to moderate osteoarthritis of knee. HA injection has been found to be effective only in short term cases. Conclusion: The clinical results of this study show that both these non-surgical modalities (intraarticular injections of PRP or HA) are useful for the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee. Treatment with PRP shows significantly better outcome compared with HA group; with respect to WOMAC and KSS scores.

Preparation of nano-silver containing black phosphorus based on quaternized chitosan hydrogel and evaluating its effect on skin wound healing

Hydrogels with favorable biocompatibility and antibacterial properties are essential in postoperative wound hemorrhage care, facilitating rapid wound healing. The present investigation employed electrostatic adsorption of black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNPs) and nano‑silver (AgNPs) to cross-link the protonated amino group NH3+ of quaternized chitosan (QCS) with the hydroxyl group of hyaluronic acid (HA). The electrostatic interaction between the two groups resulted in the formation of a three-dimensional gel network structure. Additionally, the hydrogel containing AgNPs deposited onto BPNPs was assessed for its antibacterial properties and effects on wound healing. Hydrogel demonstrated an outstanding drug-loading capacity and could be employed for wound closure. AgNPs loaded on the BPNPs released silver ions and exhibited potent antibacterial properties when exposed to 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) radiation. The ability of the hydrogel to promote wound healing in an acute wound model was further evaluated. The BPNPs were combined with HA and QCS in the aforementioned hydrogel system to improve adhesion, combine the photothermal and antibacterial properties of the BPNPs, and promote wound healing. Therefore, the reported hydrogels displayed excellent biocompatibility and hold significant potential for application in the field of tissue engineering for skin wound treatment.

Enhancement of autophagy can alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis induced by ammonia stress in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

Ammonia in aquatic environments is toxic to fish, directly impacting their growth performance and development. Activation of autophagy can facilitate intracellular component renewal and enhance an organism's adaptability to adverse environments. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of autophagy on the yellow catfish under acute ammonia stress. In this study, the yellow catfish intraperitoneally injected with 0.9 % sodium chloride were placed with 0 (CON group) and 125 (HA group) mg/L T-AN (Total ammonia nitrogen) dechlorinated water. The yellow catfish intraperitoneally injected with 30 mg/kg fish CQ (Chloroquine, HA + CQ group) and 1.5 mg/kg fish RAPA (rapamycin, HA + RAPA group) were placed in dechlorinated water containing 125 mg/L T-AN. The results showed that activation of autophagy by injecting with RAPA can alleviate oxidative stress (catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity significantly increased, H2O2 content significantly decreased), and inflammatory response (pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, MyD88, IL 1-β gene expression decreased significantly), apoptosis (baxa, Bcl2, Tgf-β, Smad2, Caspase3, Caspase 9 gene expression decreased significantly) induced by ammonia stress. In addition, activation of autophagy in yellow catfish can enhance ammonia detoxification by promoting the urea cycle and synthesis of glutamine (the mRNA level of CPS Ⅰ, ARG, OTC, ASS, ASL, and GS increased in the HA + RAPA group). The data above demonstrates that activating autophagy can alleviate oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and cell apoptosis induced by ammonia stress. Therefore, enhancing autophagy is proposed as a potential strategy to mitigate the detrimental impacts of ammonia stress on yellow catfish.

EFFECT OF KECEMCEM (Spondias pinnata) EXTRACT ON ANGIOGENESIS OF GINGIVA AFTER CURETASE OF WISTAR RATS

Background: Curettage procedure cause wounds that require adjuvant therapy. One of adjuvant therapies used is hyaluronic acid. However, recently, several studies have focused on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of various natural products such as the bark of kecemcem tree (Spondias pinnata) which has protective effect against oxidative and inflammatory changes occurs during development of mucositis. Based on this, researchers were interested examining effect of giving kecemcem bark extract on formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) in gingiva after curettage. Materials and Methods: Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups, negative control, positive control, and treatment group. Previously, rats had induced periodontal pockets by tying silk threads on mandibular incisors and after that they were curettage using a gracey curette. Negative control group was given CMC-Na, positive control group was given hyaluronic acid and treatment group was given 70% kecemcem bark extract gel. Rats were sacrificed on day 3, 5 and 7 and then histological preparations were made. Results and discussion: Average number of new blood vessels in the treatment group was higher than control group and positive control with two-way ANOVA test showed that average number of new blood vessels in each group had significant difference (p<0.05). This supports hypothesis that compounds found in the bark of the kecemcem tree such as beta-sitosterol, phenols, and flavonoids have effect on increasing angiogenesis in gingival wounds after curettage of Wistar rats. Conclusion: 70% kecemcem bark extract gel has effect on increasing angiogenesis in gingival wounds after curettage of Wistar rats.

3D Printable Polyelectrolyte Complex‐Integrated Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels with Customizable Mechanical Strength and pH‐Responsiveness

AbstractHerein, a novel 3D printable ink designed for the fabrication of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels is introduced, ingeniously integrating a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of hyaluronic acid (HA) and chitosan (CS) with a photo‐crosslinkable P(OEGMA‐co‐EGDEMA) polymer. Initially, the carboxyl group of HA is modified with a photo‐labile ortho‐nitrobenzyl group, preventing premature PEC formation during 3D ink formulation. Subsequent UV illumination via digital light processing (DLP) simultaneously triggers the photo‐deprotection of the carboxyl group of HA and the photopolymerization of OEGMA crosslinked hydrogel, together creating a PEC‐integrated IPN hydrogel. Comprehensive characterizations, including NMR, IR, UV/Vis, TGA, DSC, SEM, and mechanical tests are conducted to evaluate the structural, morphological, and rheological properties of these hydrogels. Furthermore, adjustments to the composition of the 3D ink enable the production of hydrogels with a spectrum of mechanical strength and elastic modulus ranging from 1 to 10 kPa. The resultant PEC‐IPN hydrogels display excellent flexibility, compressive strength, high strain tolerance, pH responsiveness, and thermal stability. In essence, the approach seamlessly merges natural polyelectrolytes with technological innovation to refine 3D ink production. This method could mark a pivotal advancement in the realm of 3D materials, unlocking numerous prospective applications.

Comparison of the clinical outcomes between proximal femoral nail anti-rotation with cement enhancement and hemiarthroplasty among elderly osteoporotic patients with intertrochanteric fracture

BackgroundThe proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) with cement enhancement enhances the anchorage ability of internal fixation in elderly with osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. However, whether it is superior to hemiarthroplasty is still controversial. The present study aimed to determine which treatment has better clinical outcomes among older patients.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 102 elderly patients with osteoporosis who developed intertrochanteric fractures and underwent PFNA combined with cement-enhanced internal fixation (n = 52, CE group), and hemiarthroplasty (n = 50, HA group) from September 2012 to October 2018. All the intertrochanteric fractures were classified according to the AO/OTA classification. Additionally, the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative blood transfusion rates, postoperative weight-bearing time, hospitalization time, Barthel Index of Activities Daily Living, Harris score of hip function, visual analog (VAS) pain score, and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe CE group had significantly shorter operative time, lesser intraoperative blood loss, lower blood transfusion rate, and longer postoperative weight-bearing time than the HA group. The CE group had lower Barthel’s Index of Activities of Daily Living, lower Harris’ score, and higher VAS scores in the first and third months after surgery than the HA group, but no difference was observed between the two groups from 6 months to 12 months. There was no significant difference in the total post-operative complications between the two groups.ConclusionThe use of PFNA combined with a cement-enhanced internal fixation technique led to shorter operative time and lesser intraoperative blood loss and trauma in elderly patients as compared to HA.

Efficacy and Safety of Two Chondroprotective Supplements in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Pilot Study.

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA), glucosamine (Glc), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) are key ingredients commonly incorporated into dietary chondroprotective supplements for the management of osteoarthritis (OA). Despite their widespread use, there is a paucity of published data regarding their efficacy and safety, necessitating rigorous investigation in clinical settings. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a randomized, single-blindpilot study to evaluate the effects of two commercially available multi-ingredient supplements on patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA. Methods: A total of 51 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate knee OA were enrolled in a four-week randomized study and allocated equally (1:1:1 ratio) into three groups: a control group (n = 17) that received no treatment, an HA group (n = 17) given Syalox® 300 Plus (1 tablet/day) containing HA (300 mg) and Boswellia serrata extract (100 mg), and a Glc + CS group (n = 17) given Cartijoint® Forte (1 tablet/day) containing Glc (415 mg), CS (400 mg), and curcuminoids from rhizomes of Curcuma longa L (50 mg).Physicians conducting evaluations were blinded to group assignments, whereas patients were not. All participants underwent assessments of pain relief, functional capacity improvement, and serum adropin levels, an emerging biomarker of knee OA, at baseline and after the four-week intervention period. Results: Both the HA and the Glc + CS groups exhibited improvements at the end of the study relative to baseline, with statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) observed in pain at rest, pain during movement, range of motion, and the overall Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores, including its pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales. Notably, the HA group outperformed the Glc + CS group in the alleviation of pain at rest, pain during movement, and on the WOMAC pain subscale, with all differences being statistically significant (p < 0.05). Additionally, both groups showed a significant elevation in serum adropin levels from baseline (p < 0.05), with the HA group experiencing a more substantial increase when compared to the Glc + CS group (p < 0.05). Both supplements showed a limited number of treatment-emergent adverse events. Conclusion:Oral supplementation with either HA or Glc + CS demonstrated potential benefits for managing symptoms of mild-to-moderate knee OA. Notably, HA supplementation was associated with greater improvements in pain relief and higher elevations in serum adropin levels compared to Glc + CS supplementation. However, larger-scale and longer-term studies are necessary to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of these dietary supplements within the clinical management arsenal for knee OA.

Sex differences in anhedonia in bipolar depression: a resting-state fMRI study.

Previous studies about anhedonia symptoms in bipolar depression (BD) ignored the unique role of gender on brain function. This study aims to explore the regional brain neuroimaging features of BD with anhedonia and the sex differences in these patients. The resting-fMRI by applying fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) method was estimated in 263 patients with BD (174 high anhedonia [HA], 89 low anhedonia [LA]) and 213 healthy controls. The effects of two different factors in patients with BD were analyzed using a 3 (group: HA, LA, HC) × 2 (sex: male, female) ANOVA. The fALFF values were higher in the HA group than in the LA group in the right medial cingulate gyrus and supplementary motor area. For the sex-by-group interaction, the fALFF values of the right hippocampus, left medial occipital gyrus, right insula, and bilateral medial cingulate gyrus were significantly higher in HA males than in LA males but not females. These results suggested that the pattern of high activation could be a marker of anhedonia symptoms in BD males, and the sex differences should be considered in future studies of BD with anhedonia symptoms.

Komposit Bioactive Glass Berbasis Silika Abu Ampas Tebu dan Gum Mimba Menstimulasi Proses Remineralisasi Permukaan Gigi

Dentin hypersensitivity results from exposed dentinal tubules. One of the treatments used is remineralization of dentin and cementum. Bioactive glass (BAG) is a material that can stimulate the remineralization process due to its silica content. Sugarcane bagasse contains high levels of silica and is used as a BAG material. Adding binders and emulsifiers to paste forms increases bonding and stability and makes application easier. Neem gum is a polysaccharide, has emulsifying properties, and can unite two or more ingredients with different properties, increasing the strength of the ingredients. The study aims to analyse the effect of neem gum and bioactive glass composites based on silica bagasse ash on tooth remineralisation. There were three research groups, namely control (BAG paste), treatment A (hyaluronic acid BAG paste) and treatment B (BAG paste, hyaluronic acid and neem gum). The injection paste was applied to the teeth [using cow teeth] on the mesial surface, then soaked in artificial saliva for six days and stored in an incubator at 370C. The remineralization process was observed by forming hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) on the tooth root surface using a scoring method based on the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) results. CA formation in the BAG, hyaluronic acid and neem gum composite group had a significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher HCA formation score than the group without gum. The control group experienced a washout, so no HCA was formed. BAG composite paste with silica based on bagasse ash and neem gum stimulates the remineralization process marked by the formation of HCA on the tooth root surface.

Highlighting the effects of high-intensity interval training on the changes associated with hypertrophy, apoptosis, and histological proteins of the heart of old rats with type 2 diabetes

T2DM is known to cause disturbances in glucose homeostasis and negative changes in the heart muscle, while aging and diabetes are recognized risk factors for CVD. Given this, our study aims to investigate a method for controlling and managing CVDs induced by T2DM in elderly populations. To achieve this, we categorized 40 rats into 5 groups, including HAD (n = 8), HA (n = 8), AD (n = 8), AHT (n = 8), and ADT (n = 8). The exercise protocol consisted of eight weeks of HIIT (three sessions per week) performed at 90–95% of maximal speed. Following cardiac tissue extraction, we assessed the levels of IGF-1, PI3K, and AKT proteins using Western blot technique, and analyzed the histopathological variations of the heart tissue using H&E, Sudan Black, and Masson’s trichrome tissue staining. The histological findings from our study demonstrated that T2DM had a significant impact on the development of pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis in the heart tissue of elderly individuals. However, HIIT not only effectively controlled pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis, but also induced physiological hypertrophy in the AHT and ADT groups compared to the HA and AD groups. Results from Sudan Black staining indicated that there was an increase in lipid droplet accumulation in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes and their nuclei in the HA and AD groups, while the accumulation of lipid droplets decreased significantly in the AHT and ADT groups. In both the AHT group and the ADT group, a single HIIT session led to a reduction in collagen fiber accumulation and fibrotic frameworks. Our research also revealed that diabetes caused a significant elevation in the levels of IGF-1, PI3K, and AKT proteins, but after eight weeks of HIIT, the levels of these proteins decreased significantly in the training groups. Overall, our findings suggest that HIIT may be a suitable non-pharmacological approach for improving histological and physiological changes in elderly individuals with T2DM. However, we recommend further research to examine the impact of HIIT training on both healthy and diseased elderly populations.

Single Shot of Knee Intraarticular Injection of Platelets Rich Plasma versus Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis. An Observational Prospective Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intra-articular PRP and HA in KOA patients. Methods: The current work was prospective randomized observational. Participants were divided into two groups. Group 1; 1 intra-articular PRP injection (15 mL) in 72 patients and Group 2; A single intra-articular injection of HA (80 mg/4 mL) was administered to 72 patients. All patients were evaluated before infiltration and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after injection. Results: No significant difference was detected in the demographic distribution (gender and age) and Grade RT, Grade RL, Grade II OA and Grade III OA classifications of patients who received intra-articular PRP or HA injection for knee OA (p&amp;gt;0.05). Compared with the HA group WOMAC mean of 48.8 and p&amp;lt;0.05, there was no significant change in the PRP groups with the WOMAC mean of 68.9. At month 3, each group had significantly reduced overall WOMAC score compared to baselines in both groups. The mean WOMAC was 48.2 in the HA and 47.9 in the PRP group (P&amp;lt;0.001). At 6 months, the average WOMAC score of the PRP group was 39.4, while this rate was 56.3 in the HA group (P&amp;lt;0.001). The PRP group showed a steady improvement, while those treated with HA showed a rapid deterioration. At 12 months, the HA group's WOMAC scores (74.1) returned to baseline levels. The mean WOMAC of the PRP group was (58.9) (P&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusion: The overall PRP improvement outweighs HA injections

Polysaccharide hydrogel containing silver nanoparticle@catechol microspheres with photothermal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities for infected-wounds repair

Anti-infection hydrogels have recently aroused enormous attraction, particularly in the treatment of chronic wounds. Herein, silver nanoparticle@catechol formaldehyde resin microspheres (Ag@CFRs) were fabricated by one-step hydrothermal method and subsequently encapsulated in hydrogels which were developed by Schiff base reaction between aldehyde groups in oxidized hyaluronic acid and amino groups in carboxymethyl chitosan. The developed polysaccharide hydrogel exhibited microporous structure, high swelling capacity, favorable mechanical strength, enhanced tissue adhesion and photothermal activities. Additionally, the hydrogel not only ensured long-term and high-efficiency antibacterial performance (99.9 %) toward E. coli and S. aureus, but also realized superior cytocompatibility in vitro. Moreover, based on the triple antibacterial strategies endowed by chitosan, silver nanoparticles and the photothermal properties of catechol microspheres, the composite hydrogel exhibited excellent anti-infection function, significantly downregulated inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1β) and promoted in vivo infected-wound healing. These results demonstrated that the polysaccharide hydrogel containing Ag@CFRs has great potential for infected-wounds repair.

Effect of High Altitude on Serum Biochemical Parameters, Immunoglobulins, and Rumen Metabolism of Sanhe Heifers

Rumen metabolism is closely related to feed utilization and the environmental adaptability of cows. However, information on the influence of altitude on ruminal metabolism is limited. Our study aimed to investigate differences in rumen metabolism and blood biochemical indicators among Sanhe heifers residing at various altitudes. A total of 20 serum and ruminal fluid samples were collected from Sanhe heifers in China, including those from Hulunbeier City (approximately 700 m altitude; 119°57′ E, 47°17′ N; named LA) and Lhasa City (approximately 3650 m altitude; 91°06′ E, 29°36′ N; named HA). Compared with LA heifers, HA heifers had higher levels of serum cortisol, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen (p &lt; 0.05) and lower Ca2+ concentrations (p &lt; 0.05). Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS)-based untargeted metabolomic technology, we identified a significant difference in 312 metabolites between the LA and HA groups. Metabolic pathway analysis, based on significantly different rumen metabolites, identified 20 enriched metabolic pathways within hierarchy III, which are encompassed within 6 broader metabolic pathways in hierarchy I. This study constitutes the first elucidation of the altitudinal adaptation mechanism of ruminants from the perspective of rumen metabolism, thereby offering a novel angle for investigating high-altitude adaptation in both humans and animals.

EVALUATION OF SOME ELEMENT AND MINERAL LEVELS IN PRESCRIPTION AND NON-PRESCRIPTION DOG DIETS

Various prescription diets prescribed by veterinarians for specific diseases in dogs have been developed and introduced to the market. Trace element and mineral levels, which are essential for healthy living conditions in animals, can differ in both prescription and non-prescription foods. In our study, it was aimed to determine the levels of some elements and minerals in various prescription and non-prescription dry foods used in dog nutrition and to evaluate their therapeutic importance.In the study, a total of 100 different prescription dry food formulated for hepatic diseases (H, n=25), renal diseases (R, n=25), gastrointestinal diseases (GI, n=25) and, allergic diseases (HA, n=25) were used. Non-prescription dry foods from different flavors and brands in the market were considered as the control group (C, n=50). Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Selenium (Se), Calcium (Ca), and Phosphorus (P) levels of all dry foods were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES, Thermo iCAP 6000 series) and the results were compared between groups. Statistical analysis was evaluated using SPSS 21.Cu levels in GI and HA groups were higher than in the control group (p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01, respectively). Fe levels were higher in the GI group and lower in the HA group than in the control group (p&lt;0.05). Mn level was significantly higher in the H group compared to the control group (p&lt;0.001). The Mn levels in GI and HA groups were higher than the control group (p&lt;0.01). There was no statistical difference in Se and Zn levels between prescription and non-prescription dry foods. Ca and P levels in all groups were statistically lower than in the control group (p&lt;0.001).There are significant differences in element and mineral levels in prescription and non-prescription dry foods. These values may be out of the legal limits determined by EU Regulation. Considering the therapeutic purpose of these prescription formulas, some element and mineral amounts were determined as inappropriate. Vrednotenje vsebnosti nekaterih elementov in mineralov v predpisani in nepredpisani prehrani za pse Izvleček: Na trgu so prisotne različne diete na recept, ki jih veterinarji predpisujejo za določene bolezni psov. Vsebnost elementov v sledovih in mineralov, ki so bistveni za zdravo življenje živali, se lahko razlikuje tako v hrani na recept kot v hrani brez recepta. V naši študiji smo želeli določiti vsebnost nekaterih elementov in mineralov v različnih predpisanih in nepredpisanih suhih vrstah hrane za pse, ter oceniti njihov terapevtski pomen.V študiji je bilo uporabljenih 100 različnih vrst suhe hrane, formulirane za jetrne bolezni (H, n=25), ledvične bolezni (R, n=25), bolezni prebavil (GI, n=25) in alergijske bolezni (HA, n=25). Suha hrana brez recepta različnih okusov in blagovnih znamk na trgu je bila obravnavana kot kontrolna skupina (C, n=50). Vsebnost bakra (Cu), železa (Fe), mangana (Mn), cinka (Zn), selena (Se), kalcija (Ca) in fosforja (P) v vseh vrstah suhe hrane smo analizirali z optično emisijsko spektroskopijo z induktivno sklopljeno plazmo (ICP-OES, serija Thermo iCAP 6000) in rezultate primerjali med skupinami. Statistična analiza je bila narejena v programu SPSS 21.Vsebnost Cu v skupinah GI in HA je bila višja kot v kontrolni skupini (p&lt;0,05 oziroma p&lt;0,01). Vsebnost Fe je bila višja v skupini GI in nižja v skupini HA kot v kontrolni skupini (p&lt;0,05). Raven Mn je bila bistveno višja v skupini H v primerjavi s kontrolno skupino (p&lt;0,001). Ravni Mn v skupinah GI in HA so bile višje kot v kontrolni skupini (p&lt;0,01). Med suho hrano na recept in suho hrano brez recepta ni bilo statistične razlike v vsebnosti Se in Zn. Vsebnosti Ca in P so bile v vseh skupinah statistično značilno nižje kot v kontrolni skupini (p&lt;0,001).Vsebnost elementov in mineralov v suhi hrani na recept in suhi hrani brez recepta se je bistveno razlikovala. Te vrednosti so lahko izven zakonsko določenih mejnih vrednosti, ki jih določa uredba EU. Glede na terapevtski namen diete na recept smo nekatere količine elementov in mineralov določili kot neustrezne. Ključne besede: elementi; minerali; pes; hrana; recept

Next-generation probiotic candidates targeting intestinal health in weaned piglets: Both live and heat-killed Akkermansia muciniphila prevent pathological changes induced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in the gut

The use of next-generation probiotics (NGP) in pigs for combating diseases has been subject to limited research. Here we explored the potential of a well-known NGP candidate Akkermansia muciniphila targeting pig gut health. In the first screening experiment, we found that the abundance of A. muciniphila peaked at 14 d old but decreased at weaning (21 d old; P < 0.05), suggesting the weaning period may be an effective window for A. muciniphila intervention. Following that, 48 crossbred weaned pigs at 28 d old were randomly assigned to five groups: control (CON), high/low live A. muciniphila (HA/LA), and high/low heat-killed A. muciniphila (HIA/LIA). From 1 to 28 d old, the CON group received gastric infusion of anaerobic sterile saline every other day; the HA and LA groups were gavaged every other day with 1 × 1010 CFU/5 mL and 5 × 108 CFU/5 mL live A. muciniphila, respectively; and the HIA and LIA groups were gavaged every other day with 1 × 1010 CFU/5 mL and 5 × 108 CFU/5 mL heat-killed A. muciniphila, respectively. At d 29, pigs in the CON group were randomly and equally divided into two groups, one of which was named the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) group, and all groups except CON received a 5-d ETEC challenge. The supplementation of A. muciniphila numerically reduced the diarrhea rate of weaned pigs compared to the pigs that only received the ETEC challenge (P = 0.57), but the LIA group had a higher diarrhea rate than the CON group (P < 0.05). Consistent with this, the supplementation of A. muciniphila improved the small intestinal morphology and structure, proportion of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the blood, as well as the expression of genes related to intestinal barrier and antioxidant indices of pigs with ETEC challenge, especially for the LA group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, A. muciniphila supplementation reduced the expression of ETEC virulence factor genes in the ileum and colon of pigs challenged by ETEC (P < 0.05). Therefore, A. muciniphila may protect the intestinal health of weaned piglets from damage caused by ETEC infection, but the effect may vary depending on the concentration and activity of A. muciniphila.

Exploring the mechanism of allicin in lowering blood lipids based on the CSE/H2S pathway

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism by which allicin modulates lipid metabolism in HFD (High-Fat Diet) mice through the CSE/H2S pathway. Allicin intervention (120 mg/kg) significantly reduced mouse body weight and serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.05), while enhancing hepatic antioxidant levels (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis of the liver indicated that allicin influenced several key metabolic pathways, including lipid metabolism (steroid hormone synthesis, unsaturated fatty acid synthesis, and PPAR signaling pathways) and antioxidant pathways (chemical carcinogenesis-reactive oxygen species pathway and glutathione metabolism pathways). RT-qPCR experiments confirmed that in the HA group (the high dose allicin, 120 mg/kg), the expression level of CD36 in the liver was downregulated, while the expression of LPL, GST, GPX, and GCLC were upregulated. Furthermore, the metabonomic analysis identified core differential metabolites primarily associated with sulfate/sulfite metabolism and glutathione metabolism pathway. This was evidenced by alterations in the levels of sulfur-containing compounds, such as H2S, l-Glutathione (reduced), G-glutamylcysteine, and methionine. In the constructed HepG2 high-fat cell model, dl-Propargylglycine (PAG, H2S synthesis inhibitor) treatment resulted in significantly higher lipid content compared to the Allicin-600 group, and expression levels of antioxidant genes like GST, GPX, and GCLC are reduced. This further validates the pivotal role of the CSE/H2S pathway in allicin's lipid-lowering effects. In summary, allicin demonstrates potent lipid-lowering activity when serving as an H2S donor, setting the stage for the development of a broader range of allicin-related health products.

A comparison of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the most common chronic degenerative condition in an older population, accounts for many disabilities around the world. One of the most popular treatments is intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Prior studies have found that both HA and PRP had a therapeutic effect on KOA. This study aims to perform a systematic review regarding whether PRP is superior to HA for KOA. We conducted a comprehensive literature search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for prospective randomized control trials (pRCTs) in three international databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect from 2019-2022. Two researchers independently searched the reviews, extracted, and cross-checked the data. The disparity when choosing the literature was resolved by discussion. The modified Jadad was scale used to assess the quality of the included studies. Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool (RoB-2) was used for determininzg risk of bias. Twenty three studies were eligible for inclusion. Four pRCT with the highest Jadad score were selected as best evidence. Risk of bias assesment concluded two studies having a low risk of bias, one is high risk of bias, and the other possesses some concerns.. Three studies found no difference in patient-reported outcomes between PRP and HA group and one study concluded that PRP is more effective than HA in treating KOA. Intra-articular injections of PRP and HA are effective interventions for KOA. However, there is not enough evidence of PRP superiority over HA.

Cost – effectiveness analysis of hyaluronic acid injection relative to oral medication for knee osteoarthritis treatment at Nguyen Trai hospital in the period of 2022 – 2023

Objective Pharmacological treatments, primarily oral NSAIDs, constituted 73.9% usage for knee osteoarthritis. Despite the known adverse effects of NSAIDs, they are recommended for KOA management. Hyaluronic acid injections, an emerging alternative, lack consensus and evidence of cost-effectiveness in Vietnam. This study aimed to analyze the cost-effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections relative to oral medication treatment in patients with KOA from health insurance payer’s perspective. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using electronic medical records of KOA patients from March 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, at Nguyen Trai Hospital to analyze costs. A cross-sectional descriptive study of two groups receiving hyaluronic acid injections (HA) or oral medication treatment (PO) was conducted using the WOMAC scale converted to EQ-5D-5L to measure treatment effectiveness in QALYs. Seemingly unrelated regression equation was utilized to estimate the Incremental Cost-effectiveness Ratio (ICER) of HA relative to PO while simutaneously adjusting for other confounding factors. Results: The PO group exhibited a higher total WOMAC score than the HA group (PO group: 45.12; HA group: 44.29), indicating greater severity in the WOMAC Pain, Function, and Stiffness categories. The QALYs of HA group was higher than those of the PO group, with QALYs values of 0,719 and 0,661, respectively. The total medical direct costs increased by 6.232.445 VND, and QALYs increased by 0,041 when using HA compared to PO. The ICER reached a 151.184.110 VND/QALY gained. With WTP of 1GDP and 3GDP, the probability of achieving cost-effectiveness of HA compared to using PO was respectively 20.06% and 100%. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that ICER based on QALYs of hyaluronic acid injections is cost-effective compared to the standard oral medication approach. Keywords: Cost analysis; WOMAC; Cost-effectiveness analysis; Hyaluronic acid injections; Knee osteoarthritis;

Platelet-rich Plasma Superiority over Hyaluronic Acid as a Conservative Treatment for Early Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

AIM:This study aimed to perform a systematic review (SR) of SR to elucidate prior findings regarding favorable outcomes between platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for early knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a thorough literature search adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for SR and Meta-analyses only for SRs from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar from 2020 to 2023. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined using the population, intervention, comparison, outcome, and study design model. A measurement tool to assess SR-2 was used to grade the included SRs. Two researchers independently searched, extracted, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. Cohen’s kappa coefficient was used to calculate the inter-observer disparities in study eligibility and risk of bias. The corrected covered area (CCA) metric addressed the overlap issue with the original studies. RESULTS: One SR yielded high methodological quality whereas three SRs yielded moderate methodological quality. The overall CCA among the four SRs was 30.77%, and all SRs used the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score as a patient-reported outcome (PRO) and revealed that the PRP group improved more than the HA group. One SR used the Tegner score as a PRO and found no distinction between the PRP and HA groups. The incidence of substantial pain was lower in the PRP group than in the HA group. One SR reported considerably lower local pain post-injection in the HA groups. Overall, three SRs showed that PRP yielded better outcomes than the HA, and one showed that PRP showed advantages over HA injections for knee pain at 6 and 12 months; however, the clinical outcomes were not different. CONCLUSION: Our findings supported the superiority of PRP over HA as a long-term alternative therapy for early-stage KOA.