Involvement of blood mononuclear cells in the infertility, age-associated diseases and cancer treatment

Blood mononuclear cells consist of T cells and monocyte derived cells. Beside immunity, the blood mononuclear cells belong to the complex tissue control system(TCS), where they exhibit morphostatic function by stimulatingproliferation of tissue stem cells followed by cellular differentiation, that is stopped after attaining the proper functional stage, which differs among various tissue types. Therefore, the term immune and morphostatic system(IMS) should be implied. The TCS-mediated morphostasis also consists of vascular pericytes controlled by autonomic innervation, which is regulating the quantity of distinct tissues in vivo. Lack of proper differentiation of tissue cells by TCS causes either tissue underdevelopment, e.g., muscular dystrophy, or degenerative functional failures, e.g., type 1 diabetes and age-associated diseases. With the gradual IMS regression after 35 years of age the gonadal infertility develops, followed by a growing incidence of age-associated diseases and cancers. Without restoring an altered TCS function in a degenerative disease, the implantation of tissue-specific stem cells alone by regenerative medicine can not be successful. Transfused young blood could temporarily restore fertility to enable parenthood. The young blood could also temporarily alleviate aging diseases, and this can be extended by substances inducing IMS regeneration, like the honey bee propolis. The local and/or systemic use of honey bee propolis stopped hair and teeth loss, regressed varicose veins, improved altered hearing, and lowered high blood pressure and sugar levels. Complete regression of stage Ⅳ ovarian cancer with liver metastases after a simple elaborated immunotherapy is also reported.

Age-associated alternations in cardiac β-adrenergic receptor signaling

During aging, cardiac contractile response to β-AR stimulation is decreased in humans and animal models. Recent studies demonstrate that the positive inotropic effects of both β1-AR and β2-AR stimulation are significantly decreased with aging.This is accompanied by decreases in both β-AR subtype densities and a reduction in membrane adenylyl cyclase activity. However,neither G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) nor inhibitory G proteins (Gi) appears to contribute to the age-associated reduction in the β-AR modulation of contraction. Thus, while both aging and chronic heart failure exhibit a diminution in cardiac β-AR responsiveness, only heart failure exhibits increased GRK-mediated desensitization ofβ-Ars and an upregulation of Gi proteins.

Clinical Analysis of Erzhi Mingmu Decoction in the Treatment of Non-exudative Age-related Macular Degeneration

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Erzhi Mingmu Decoction in the treatment of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with non-exudative age-related macular degeneration admitted to our hospital from May 2017 to May 2018 were selected. They were randomly divided into the study group and the control group. The control group was treated with oral vitamin C and vitamin E while study group was treated with Erzhi Mingmu Decoction based on the same treatment of the control group. Both groups were continuously treated for 1 month, the visual improvement, fundus changes, and changes of serum VEGF and CRP levels were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The number of patients with visual improvement was higher in the study group than that in the control group(P < 0.05). The number of patients with fundus improvement in the study group was more than that of the control group(P < 0.05). Serum VEGF levels were decreased in the 2 groups after treatment, and they were decreased more in the study group than those in control group(all P < 0.05). Serum CRP levels were decreased in the 2 groups after treatment, and the serum CRP levels were decreased more in the study group than those in control group(all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The treatment of non-exudative age-related macular degeneration with Erzhimingmu Decoction can significantly improve the vision of patients, improve the condition of the fundus, and reduce the levels of serum VEGF and CRP, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Macrophage senescence in health and diseases

Macrophage senescence,manifested by the special form of durable cell cycle arrest and chronic low-grade inflammation like senescence-associated secretory phenotype,has long been consid-ered harmful.Persistent senescence of macrophages may lead to maladaptation,immune dysfunction,and finally the development of age-related diseases,infections,autoimmune diseases,and malignancies.However,it is a ubiquitous,multi-factorial,and dynamic complex phenomenon that also plays roles in remodeled processes,including wound repair and embryogenesis.In this review,we summarize some general molecular changes and several specific biomarkers during macrophage senescence,which may bring new sight to recognize senescent macrophages in different conditions.Also,we take an in-depth look at the functional changes in senescent macrophages,including metabolism,autophagy,polarization,phagocytosis,antigen presentation,and infiltration or recruitment.Furthermore,some degenerations and diseases associated with senescent macrophages as well as the mechanisms or relevant genetic regulations of senescent macrophages are integrated,not only emphasizing the possibility of regulating macrophage senescence to benefit age-associated diseases but also has an implication on the finding of potential tar-gets ordrugs clinically.