Objective To systematically evaluate the effectiveness and safety of macrolides in the prevention of COPD exacerbation. Methods The literatures concerning both randomized controlled trials ( RCTs ) and clinical control study of COPD were searched in PUBMED, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure ( CNKI) ,Wanfang, and Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database ( VIP) ( last updated in September 2012) . The quality assessment and data extraction for RCTs were conducted by two reviewers independently.Meta-analyses were conducted with the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 4. 2 software. Results In all trials, the results indicated that the frequency of acute exacerbation in the macrolide treatment group was decreased compared with the control group [ RR= 0. 63, 95% CI( 0. 50, 0. 79) ] . The frequency of acute exacerbation treated with macrolides was significantly decreased in Asians [ RR= 0. 58, 95% CI ( 0. 44, 0. 75) ] but not in Caucasians [ RR = 0. 79, 95% CI ( 0. 47, 1. 31) ] . The frequency of acute exacerbation treated with roxithromycin was significantly decreased compared with the control group [ RR=0. 54,95% CI( 0. 32, 0. 91) ] . In addition, the macrolides treatment had no side effects except for a few and mild gastrointestinal adverse effects. Conclusion Macrolides may be an effective drug to prevent COPD exacerbation.
Objective To investigate the effects of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and endothelial cells (ECs) on the survival and neovascularization of fat tissue transplants. Methods The ADSCs were isolated by collagenase digestion from the adipose tissues voluntarily donated by the patients undergoing mastectomy, and subcultured. The passage 3 ADSCs were used for subsequent experiments. The residual fat tissues were used to prepare fat particles (FPs). The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used as ECs for subsequent experiments. Eighty healthy male nude mice, aged 4-6 weeks, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20). The mice were received subcutaneous injection at the dorsum of 1 mL FPs+0.3 mL normal saline (NS) in control group, 1 mL FPs+2×106 ECs+0.3 mL NS in ECs group, 1 mL FPs+2×106 ADSCs+0.3 mL NS in ADSCs group, and 1 mL FPs+1×106 ECs+1×106 ADSCs+0.3 NS in ADSCs+ECs group. General observations of the injection sites were performed, and the survival of the mice was recorded. At 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after injection, grafted fat tissues were firstly assessed by ultrasonography, then they were collected for volume measurement (water displacement method) and histology observation (HE staining and immunofluorescence staining). Results All mice survived until the end of experiment. At each time point, no significant difference was noted between groups in ultrasonography assay. There was no significant blood flow signal in the grafted fat tissues, or cysts, calcification, solid occupying in recipient area. Generally, the volume of grafted fat tissues decreased with time in all groups. Specifically, the volumes of grafted fat tissues were larger in ADSCs group and ADSCs+ECs group than that in control group and ECs group (P<0.05) at each time point, and in ADSCs group than in ADSCs+ECs group (P<0.05) at 8 and 12 weeks. HE staining showed that all groups had similar tendencies in general histology changes, and remodeling in ADSCs group was the fastest than in the other groups. By immunofluorescence staining for neovascularization, the new vessels in all groups were increasing with time. The vessel densities were higher in ECs group, ADSCs group, and ADSCs+ECs group than in control group (P<0.05) at each time point, in ADSCs group than in ECs group and ADSCs+ECs group (P<0.05) at 4 weeks, in ADSCs group and ADSCs+ECs group than in ECs group (P<0.05) at 8 and 12 weeks. Conclusion ADSCs can significantly increase the survival of transplanted fat tissue, which may be related to promoting the neovascularization.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in skin scar prevention and treatment.MethodsThe related literature was extensively reviewed and analyzed. The recent in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical studies on the role of ADSCs in skin scar prevention and treatment, and the possible mechanisms and biomaterials to optimize the effect of ADSCs were summarized.ResultsAs demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical studies, ADSCs participate in the whole process of skin wound healing and may prevent and treat skin scars by reducing inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, or inhibiting (muscle) fibroblasts activity to reduce collagen deposition through the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ, transforming growth factor β1/Smads pathways. Moreover, bioengineered materials such as hydrogel from acellular porcine adipose tissue, porcine small-intestine submucosa, and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) scaffold may further enhance the efficacy of ADSCs in preventing and treating skin scars.ConclusionRemarkable progress has been made in the application of ADSCs in skin scar prevention and treatment. While, further studies are still needed to explore the application methods of ADSCs in the clinic.