Decrease in uptake of arachidonic acid by indomethacin in LS174T human colon cancer cells; a novel cyclooxygenase-2-inhibition-independent effect

Dual-Drug Delivery by Anisotropic and Uniform Hybrid Nanostructures: A Comparative Study of the Function and Substrate-Drug Interaction Properties

By utilizing nanoparticles to upload and interact with several pharmaceuticals in varying methods, the primary obstacles associated with loading two or more medications or cargos with different characteristics may be addressed. Therefore, it is feasible to evaluate the benefits provided by co-delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles by investigating the properties and functions of the commonly used structures, such as multi- or simultaneous-stage controlled release, synergic effect, enhanced targetability, and internalization. However, due to the unique surface or core features of each hybrid design, the eventual drug-carrier interactions, release, and penetration processes may vary. Our review article focused on the drug's loading, binding interactions, release, physiochemical, and surface functionalization features, as well as the varying internalization and cytotoxicity of each structure that may aid in the selection of an appropriate design. This was achieved by comparing the actions of uniform-surfaced hybrid particles (such as core-shell particles) to those of anisotropic, asymmetrical hybrid particles (such as Janus, multicompartment, or patchy particles). Information is provided on the use of homogeneous or heterogeneous particles with specified characteristics for the simultaneous delivery of various cargos, possibly enhancing the efficacy of treatment techniques for illnesses such as cancer.

Fmoc-diphenylalanine-based hydrogels as a potential carrier for drug delivery

Self-assembled hydrogels from 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-modified diphenylalanine (Fmoc-FF) peptides were evaluated as potential vehicles for drug delivery. During self-assembly of Fmoc-FF, high concentrations of indomethacin (IDM) drugs were shown to be incorporated into the hydrogels. The β-sheet arrangement of peptides was found to be predominant in Fmoc-FF–IDM hydrogels regardless of the IDM content. The release mechanism for IDM displayed a biphasic profile comprising an initial hydrogel erosion-dominated stage followed by the diffusion-controlled stage. Small amounts of polyamidoamine dendrimer (PAMAM) added to the hydrogel (Fmoc-FF 0.5%–IDM 0.5%–PAMAM 0.03%) resulted in a more prolonged IDM release compared with Fmoc-FF 0.5%–IDM 0.5% hydrogel. Furthermore, these IDM-loaded hydrogels demonstrated excellent thixotropic response and injectability, which make them suitable candidates for use as injectable self-healing matrices for drug delivery.

Mendelian Randomization of Circulating Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Colorectal Cancer Risk

BACKGROUND

Results from epidemiologic studies examining polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and colorectal cancer risk are inconsistent. Mendelian randomization may strengthen causal inference from observational studies. Given their shared metabolic pathway, examining the combined effects of aspirin/NSAID use with PUFAs could help elucidate an association between PUFAs and colorectal cancer risk.

METHODS

Information was leveraged from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) regarding PUFA-associated SNPs to create weighted genetic scores (wGS) representing genetically predicted circulating blood PUFAs for 11,016 non-Hispanic white colorectal cancer cases and 13,732 controls in the Genetics and Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer Consortium (GECCO). Associations per SD increase in the wGS were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Interactions between PUFA wGSs and aspirin/NSAID use on colorectal cancer risk were also examined.

RESULTS

Modest colorectal cancer risk reductions were observed per SD increase in circulating linoleic acid [ORLA = 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.93-0.98; P = 5.2 × 10-4] and α-linolenic acid (ORALA = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.92-0.97; P = 5.4 × 10-5), whereas modest increased risks were observed for arachidonic (ORAA = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.03-1.08; P = 3.3 × 10-5), eicosapentaenoic (OREPA = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.01-1.07; P = 2.5 × 10-3), and docosapentaenoic acids (ORDPA = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01-1.06; P = 1.2 × 10-2). Each of these effects was stronger among aspirin/NSAID nonusers in the stratified analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that higher circulating shorter-chain PUFAs (i.e., LA and ALA) were associated with reduced colorectal cancer risk, whereas longer-chain PUFAs (i.e., AA, EPA, and DPA) were associated with an increased colorectal cancer risk.

IMPACT

The interaction of PUFAs with aspirin/NSAID use indicates a shared colorectal cancer inflammatory pathway. Future research should continue to improve PUFA genetic instruments to elucidate the independent effects of PUFAs on colorectal cancer.

LncRNA TINCR/microRNA-107/CD36 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis in colorectal cancer via PPAR signaling pathway based on bioinformatics analysis

The present study aims to determine the potential biomarkers and uncover the regulatory mechanisms of the long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TINCR/miR-107/CD36 axis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrantly-expressed lncRNAs and differential-expressed genes were identified by analyzing the dataset GSE40967. Gene set enrichment analysis was employed, and Cytoscape software helped in establishing the co-expression network between lncRNAs and genes. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis contributes to examining the expression levels of lncRNA TINCR, miR-107 and CD36. The dual luciferase assay was used to validate the association between miR-107 and lncRNA TINCR or CD36. The EdU incorporation assay was employed, and flow cytometry was employed to detect cell apoptosis with the tumor xenograft model being utilized. Significantly dysregulated lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway in CRC tissues was down-regulated. The loss of TINCR expression was associated with CRC progression. The expression levels of the TINCR and CD36 were down-regulated. We identified miR-107 as an inhibitory target of TINCR and CD36. Overexpression of TINCR could inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis. MiR-107 overexpression in CRC cells induced proliferation and impeded apoptosis. A regulatory function of the lncRNA TINCR/miR-107/CD36 axis in CRC was revealed. LncRNA TINCR overexpression exerted suppressive influence on CRC progression through modulating the PPAR signaling pathway via the miR-107/CD36 axis.

Anti-cancer Effects of MW-03, a Novel Indole Compound, by Inducing 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase and Cellular Growth Inhibition in the LS174T Human Colon Cancer Cell Line

Increases in the expression of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) are widely known to be involved in aberrant growth in the early stage of colon cancer development. We herein demonstrated that the novel indole compound MW-03 reduced PGE₂-induced cAMP formation by catalization to an inactive metabolite by inducing 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase through the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. MW-03 also inhibited colon cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle at the S phase. Although the target of MW-03 for cell cycle inhibition has not yet been identified, these dual anti-cancer effects of MW-03 itself and/or its leading compound(s) on colon cancer cells may reduce colon cancer development and, thus, have potential as a novel treatment for the early stage of this disease.

Drug release profiles of modified MCM-41 with superparamagnetic behavior correlated with the employed synthesis method

Mesoporous materials with superparamagnetic properties were successfully synthesized by two different methods: direct incorporation (DI) and wet impregnation (WI). The synthetized solids were evaluated as host of drugs for delivery systems and their physicochemical properties were characterized by XRD, ICP, N₂ adsorption-desorption, spectroscopies of UV-Vis DR, FT-IR and their magnetic properties were measured. Indomethacin (IND) was incorporated into the materials and the kinetic of the release profiles was studied by applying the Pepas and Sahlin model. In this sense, materials modified by DI, particularly that with hydrothermal treatment, showed the higher adsorption capacity and slower release rate. This behavior could be associated to the synthesis method used that allowed a high percentage of silanol groups available in the solids surface, which can interact with the IND molecule. This feature coupled with the superparamagnetic behavior; make these materials very interesting for drug delivery systems.

Indomethacin suppresses LAMP-2 expression and induces lipophagy and lipoapoptosis in rat enterocytes via the ER stress pathway

BACKGROUND

Indomethacin enhances small intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, which may account for mucosal ulceration. However, the involvement of autophagy in indomethacin-induced enterocyte damage is unreported.

METHODS

Using light microscopy and electron microscopy techniques, Western blot analysis, and pharmacological inhibition of autophagy, we investigated the autophagic response of cultured rat enterocytes to indomethacin treatment (200 µM) at various time points. Furthermore, autophagy was examined in enterocytes of rats given indomethacin by gavage (10 mg/kg).

RESULTS

Our data indicate that indomethacin induced accumulation of cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) in cultured enterocytes, which was associated with time-dependent autophagic responses. Initially (0-6 h), mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress and suppression of mammalian target of rapamycin, a predominant cytoprotective lipophagy was activated in indomethacin-treated enterocytes, as evidenced by induction and colocalization of LC3-II with LDs, excessive formation of autophagosomes sequestering LDs (autolipophagosomes; ALPs), and decreased viability of enterocytes on blocking autophagy with 3-methyladenine. On prolonged exposure to indomethacin (6-24 h), there was a decrease of LAMP-2 expression in enterocytes coupled with accumulation of ALPs and LDs with fewer autolysosomes in addition to an elevation of lipoapoptosis. These time-dependent autophagic and apoptotic responses to indomethacin treatment were detected in enterocytes of indomethacin-treated rats, confirming in vitro results.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study describe a novel mechanism of enterocyte damage by indomethacin mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress, accumulation of LDs, and subsequent activation of the early phase of cytoprotective lipophagy. This is followed by a late phase characterized by reduced expression of lysosomal autophagic proteins, accumulation of ALPs, and enhanced lipoapoptosis.

Indomethacin antagonizes EP(2) prostanoid receptor activation in LS174T human colon cancer cells

Increases in the level of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostanoids such as prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) are considered biomarkers of colorectal cancer. Therefore, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have been used to reduce the risk of cancer development by reducing prostanoid biosynthesis as COX inhibitors. Along with their activity as COX inhibitors, NSAID have been reported to have other effects. One major NSAID, indomethacin, has been shown to have several effects independent of COX inhibition. To further examine the COX-inhibition-independent effects of indomethacin on colorectal cancer, we used human colon cancer LS174T cells, known to have express little COX-2 and have no detectable PGE(2) production. Here we show that indomethacin has a potential antagonizing effect on human EP(2) receptors. We believe this study raises the reasons to use indomethacin as a lead-compound for setting up another EP(2) receptor-specific antagonist as a relatively cost-efficient strategy for anti-cancer medication in the future.

Preparation of chondroitin sulfate nanocapsules for use as carries by the interfacial polymerization method

In this paper, the method of interfacial polymerization in emulsion was employed to fabricate chondroitin sulfate-methacrylate (ChSMA) nanocapsules, in which poor water-soluble drug of indomethacin (IND) could be effectively encapsulated. The morphology and the size distribution of synthesized nanocapsules were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. The quantitative drug loading was investigated. The IND/ChSMA noodle-like self-assemblies were observed with the increase of IND feed concentration, and the interactions between IND and ChSMA were illuminated by FT-IR and XRD measurements. The in vitro drug release of IND-loaded nanocapsules and IND/ChSMA self-assemblies were also carried out in simulated body fluid pH 7.4 at 37°C.

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro drug release of magnetic N-benzyl-O-carboxymethylchitosan nanoparticles loaded with indomethacin

Magnetic N-benzyl-O-carboxymethylchitosan nanoparticles were synthesized through incorporation and in situ methods and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and magnetization measurements. Indomethacin was incorporated into the nanoparticles via the solvent evaporation method. The indomethacin-loaded magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by the same techniques, and also by transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles containing the polymer showed a drug loading efficiency of between 60.8% and 74.8%, and the magnetic properties were not significantly affected by incorporation of the drug. The in vitro drug release study was carried out in simulated body fluid, pH 7.4 at 37°C. The profiles showed an initial fast release, which became slower as time progressed. The percentage of drug released after 5 h was between 60% and 90%, and the best fitting mathematical model for drug release was the Korsmeyer-Peppas model, indicating a Fickian diffusion mechanism.