Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide-2 Attenuation of Protein Kinase C-Induced Inflammation in Human Ovarian Granulosa Cells

Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptide 2 May Be Associated With Decreased M1 Macrophage Production and Increased Histologic and Biomechanical Tendon-Bone Healing Properties in a Rat Rotator Cuff Tear Model

PURPOSE

To explore the potential of growth hormone-releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2) for tendon-bone healing in a rat rotator cuff tear (RCT) model.

METHODS

The impact of GHRP-2 on M1 macrophage polarization in vitro was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining. GHRP-2 was then applied in a rat RCT model, and the healing of the tendon-bone interface was systemically evaluated by histologic staining, radiologic assessments, gait analysis, and biomechanical tests. M1 macrophage polarization at the tendon-bone interface was assessed by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTS

GHRP-2 was found to reduce the expression of Cd86, Nos2, and tnfa (all P < .01), suggesting inhibited M1 macrophage polarization in vitro. The in vivo experiments showed that the proportion of M1 macrophages was reduced both 2 and 4 weeks after surgery (P < .01), and the number of M1 was reduced 4 weeks after surgery (P < .01) at the tendon-bone interface. The in vivo experiments also showed that histologic scores and bone mineral density were increased by GHRP-2 at 8 weeks postsurgery (P < .01), suggesting improved healing of the tendon-bone interface. Furthermore, the GHRP-2 group showed a better biomechanical property at both 4 and 8 weeks postsurgery, including maximal failure load, stiffness, and tension (all P < .01), and better gait parameters at 8 weeks postsurgery, including mean area of the left front foot and mean intensity of the right front foot (all P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

GHRP-2 may be associated with decreased M1 macrophage production and increased histologic and biomechanical tendon-bone healing properties in a rat RCT model.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The present study might be a transitional study to show the efficacy of GHRP-2 in enhancing bone-tendon healing and reduce retear rate after rotator cuff repair.

miR-128-3p Regulates Follicular Granulosa Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis by Targeting the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor

The proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) affect follicle development and reproductive disorders, with microRNAs playing a crucial regulatory role. Previous studies have shown the differential expression of miR-128-3p at different stages of goat follicle development, which suggests its potential regulatory role in follicle development. In this study, through the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, the EDU assay, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and the dual-luciferase reporter assay, we used immortal human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line (KGN) cells as materials to investigate the effects of miR-128-3p and its predicted target gene growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) on GC proliferation and apoptosis. The results show that overexpression of miR-128-3p inhibited the proliferation of KGN cells, promoted cell apoptosis, and suppressed the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2) while promoting that of Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX). The dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-128-3p bound to the 3' untranslated region sequence of GHSR, which resulted in the inhibited expression of GHSR protein. Investigation of the effects of GHSR on GC proliferation and apoptosis revealed that GHSR overexpression promoted the expression of PCNA and BCL2, enhanced GC proliferation, and inhibited cell apoptosis, whereas the opposite effects were observed when GHSR expression was inhibited. In addition, miR-128-3p and GHSR can influence the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 protein. In conclusion, miR-128-3p inhibits KGN cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis by downregulating the expression of the GHSR gene.

Ghrelin is associated with anti-mullerian hormone levels in Chinese systemic lupus erythematosus

PROBLEM

Ghrelin has been thought of as a potential link between energy homeostasis and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate levels of ghrelin in obese and non-obese systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to reveal a possible association between ghrelin and Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in SLE patients.

METHOD OF STUDY

One hundred SLE patients (50 obese and 50 non-obese subjects) at childbearing age and 100 age-matched healthy controls (50 obese and 50 non-obese subjects) were included. Ghrelin and leptin were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. AMH was tested through electrochemiluminescence. Demographics, clinical and laboratory indicators were obtained from medical records.

RESULTS

Ghrelin levels were significantly lower in obese SLE patients than non-obese SLE patients (P = .000) and obese controls (P = .002). Non-obese SLE patients and non-obese controls had similar ghrelin levels. Ghrelin levels were correlated positively with AMH (r = .2683, P = .0070) in SLE patients. And ghrelin were negatively associated with leptin (r = -.1969, P = .0496) and BMI (r = - .2401, P = .0161).

CONCLUSION

Our results provide evidence for a potential relationship between ghrelin and AMH in SLE patients, indicating that ghrelin may play a part in energy homeostasis and ovarian damage of SLE patients.