Intensity-dependent effect of treadmill running on lubricin metabolism of rat articular cartilage
Authors: Lei Lei
Guo-Xin Ni
Yue-Zhu Zhou
Journal: Arthritis research & therapy (2012)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: cartilage lubricin expression; treadmill running; rat model; intensity; histological observation

Abstract:  Introduction: We aimed to understand the changes in cartilage lubricin expression and immunolocalisation in responsed to treadmill running with different intensities in a rat model. Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into groups of control (CON), low-intensity running (LIR), moderate-intensity running (MIR), and high-intensity running (HIR). Rats in LIR, MIR, and HIR groups were trained for 8 weeks on the treadmill with low, moderate, and high intensity, respectively. After sacrifice, femoral condyles were collected to take histological observation for cartilage characteristics, and immunohistochemistry for lubricin. In addition, cartilage samples were obtained to assess PRG4 and TGF-Œ≤ mRNA expression by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Histological examination showed osteoarthritic changes in rats after eight weeks of high intensity running. In comparison to CON group, significantly lower Mankin score was found in LIR and MIR groups, whereas, HIR group had significantly higher Mankin score than either CON, LIR, or MIR group. On the other hand, both LIR and MIR groups have significantly higher lubricin content than CON group, whereas, significantly lower lubricin content was found in HIR group compared with CON, LIR or MIR group. A significant inverse correlation was detected between the lubricin content and Mankin score. In addition, considerably higher mRNA gene expression of PRG4 and TGF-Œ≤ was found in LIR and MIR groups, compared with those in CON and HIR groups. Conclusions: There is a marked intensity-specific effect of running on the immunolocalisation and gene expression of lubricin in cartilage, which is inversely correlated with Mankin score. Our findings provide evidences that mechanical factors are key determinants of lubricin metabolism in vivo. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 This paper is one of a set of 121 papers that all contain images from the same library of about 100 photos and plots. This is unexpected, because each paper has different authors and different affiliations, with little to no overlap, and describes different cancer types and molecules. It would be very hard to explain how authors from different labs would all obtain the same photo. Therefore, the papers might have all be derived from the same source, such as a paper mill that sells ready-to-be-published papers. This  Stock Photo paper set has been described in more detail on my blog post, https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 07 05 the-stock-photo-paper-mill and in a Wall Street Journal article by Eva Xiao (currently behind a paywall): https: www.wsj.com articles chinese-research-papers-raise-doubts-fueling-global-questions-about-scientific-integrity-11593939600 The vast majority (113 121) of the papers were published in the same journal, European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences (ERMPS). A link to the full set of papers can be found here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 172RWS18w1lTNJ9Nnj80fuXXTqTm4fGkoK0sdYyvKE3g edit?usp=sharing All papers have been reported to the journal editors on July 2, 2020. , 
 Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cLong noncoding RNA LUCAT1 promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating MTA1, by A.-H. Wang, J.-M. Zhao, J. Du, Q.-X. Pang, M.-Q. Wang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (16): 6824-6829u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_201908_18721u2013PMID: 31486481u201d has been withdrawn. [The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause] . , 
 http: www.most.gov.cn zxgz kycxjs kycxgzdt 202201 t20220127_179206.html Google Translated Date: January 27, 2022 14:44 Source: Ministry of Science and Technology u3000u300022. The paper  Long noncoding RNALUCAT1 promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating MTA1 in which Wang Mingquan of Yan an University Affiliated Hospital is the corresponding author and Wang Aihong of Yan an University School of Medicine is the first author. After investigation, it was found that the paper was sold or sold and improperly signed. Wang Mingquan will be dealt with as follows: cancel the qualification for promotion for 5 years, cancel the qualification for recruiting graduate students for 3 years, cancel the qualification for applying for financial support projects for 5 years, cancel the qualification of nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, and evaluation expert for 5 years, cancel the application The qualification for scientific and technological awards (achievements, honors) and the title of scientific and technological talents will be five years, and the professional and technical post level will be reduced from level four to level seven, and the qualification for evaluation will be cancelled for two years. 3 years to enroll postgraduates, 5 years to cancel the qualifications for applying for financial support projects, 5 years to cancel the qualifications for nominations or recommenders, nominees or recommenders, and evaluation experts, and 5 years to cancel the qualifications for applying for scientific and technological awards (achievements, honors) and scientific and technological talents. , the level of professional and technical posts was lowered from level five to level seven, the director of the inspection department was removed, and the qualification for evaluation was cancelled for 2 years; the other author Zhao Jumei was dealt with as follows: the scientific research integrity admonishment talk, the qualification for promotion of professional and technical positions is cancelled. 1 year, cancel the qualification for applying for financial support projects for 1 year, cancel the qualification for nomination or recommender, nominated or recommender, and evaluation expert for 1 year, and cancel the qualification for applying for scientific and technological awards (achievements, honors) and scientific and technological talents for 1 year. u3000u3000(Notification link: https: www.yau.edu.cn info 1405 37218.htm) ,