Albendazole ameliorates inflammatory response in a rat model of acute mesenteric ischemia reperfusion injury

Repositioning anthelmintics for the treatment of inflammatory-based pathological conditions

Acute, uncontrolled and/or long-lasting inflammation causes a breakdown in immunological tolerance, leading to chronicity and contributing to a series of significant local or systemic tissue changes. Anti-inflammatory efficacy, fewer adverse effects, improved selectivity, and curative action are imminent issues for patients suffering from chronic inflammation-related pathologies. Then, we performed a complete and critical review about anthelmintics, discussing the main classes and the available preclinical evidence on repurposing to treat inflammation-based conditions. Despite low bioavailability, many benzimidazoles (albendazole and mebendazole), salicylanilides (niclosamide), macrocyclic lactones (avermectins), pyrazinoisoquinolones (praziquantel), thiazolides (nitazoxanide), piperazine derivatives, and imidazothiazoles (levamisole) indicate that repositioning is a promising strategy. They may represent a lower cost and time-saving course to expand anti-inflammatory options. Although mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated and well-delineated, in general, anthelmintics disrupt mitogen-activated protein kinases, the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IFN-γ), the migration and infiltration of leukocytes, and decrease COX-2 expression, which impacts negatively on the release of prostanoids and leukotrienes. Moreover, some of them reduce nuclear accumulation of NF-κB (niclosamide, albendazole, and ivermectin), levels of nitric oxide (nitazoxanide and albendazole), and mucus, cytokines, and bronchoconstriction in experimental inflammatory pulmonary diseases (ivermectin and niclosamide). Considering the linking between cytokines, bradykinin, histamine, and nociceptors with algesia, anthelmintics also stand out for treating inflammatory pain disorders (ivermectin, niclosamide, nitazoxanide, mebendazole, levamisole), including for cancer-related pain status. There are obstacles, including the low bioavailability and the first-pass metabolism.

miR-138-5p ameliorates intestinal barrier disruption caused by acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis injury by inhibiting the NLRP3/HMGB1 axis

Background

Acute superior mesenteric venous thrombosis (ASMVT) decreases junction-associated protein expression and intestinal epithelial cell numbers, leading to intestinal epithelial barrier disruption. Pyroptosis has also recently been found to be one of the important causes of mucosal barrier defects. However, the role and mechanism of pyroptosis in ASMVT are not fully understood.

Methods

Differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the intestinal tissues of ASMVT mice were detected by transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). Gene expression levels were determined by RNA extraction and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Western blot and immunofluorescence staining analysis were used to analyze protein expression. H&E staining was used to observe the intestinal tissue structure. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidine iodide (FITC/PI) were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assays prove that miR-138-5p targets NLRP3.

Results

miR-138-5p expression was downregulated in ASMVT-induced intestinal tissues. Inhibition of miR-138-5p promoted NLRP3-related pyroptosis and destroyed tight junctions between IEC-6 cells, ameliorating ASMVT injury. miR-138-5p targeted to downregulate NLRP3. Knockdown of NLRP3 reversed the inhibition of proliferation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis and the decrease in tight junction proteins caused by suppression of miR-138-5p; however, this effect was later inhibited by overexpressing HMGB1. miR-138-5p inhibited pyroptosis, promoted intestinal epithelial tight junctions and alleviated ASMVT injury-induced intestinal barrier disruption via the NLRP3/HMGB1 axis.

Revascularization Strategies for Acute and Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: A Narrative Review

Mesenteric ischemia is a challenging condition characterized by insufficient blood perfusion to the mesentery and, consequently, intestinal tissues that continues to perplex clinicians. Despite its low prevalence, the condition's variable clinical presentation and elusive radiographic diagnosis can delay life-saving interventions in the acute setting and deteriorate the quality of life of patients when left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

PURPOSE

Review and summarize recent diagnostic updates and emergent intervention strategies for acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia.

METHODS

A narrative review of all relevant studies from January 2022 through September 2023.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies from MEDLINE, supplemented with 44 studies from Google Scholar, were included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Both acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia propose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for interventionalists. Computed tomographic angiography remains the diagnostic modality of choice for both. Open surgical intervention remains the gold standard for acute mesenteric ischemia, while endovascular techniques are preferred for chronic mesenteric ischemia.

Phospholipid Complexation for Bioavailability Improvement of Albendazole: Preparation, Characterization and In Vivo Evaluation

The current study aimed to improve the poor solubility of albendazole (ABZ) by means of phospholipid complexation, hence to improve its oral bioavailability. The solvent-evaporation method for ABZ-phospholipid complex (ABZ-PC) preparation was established for the first time. And a systematic optimization of preparation conditions of ABZ-PC was performed. Physicochemical studies of ABZ-PC were performed with FTIR, DSC, and XRD measurements to confirm the formation of the ABZ-PC and reveal the interaction mechanism between ABZ and phospholipid molecules. Solubility determination and morphological characterization were applied to verify the solubility improvement of prepared ABZ-PC. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic performance of ABZ-PC was further evaluated in vivo compared with raw materials of ABZ. Under optimal preparation conditions, the AE of ABZ-PC could be approximately 100%. Physicochemical studies indicated that the P = O group in the phospholipid molecule would interact with the N-H group in the ABZ molecule through hydrogen bonds and ABZ was dispersed in an amorphous state after being prepared into ABZ-PC. The aqueous solubility of ABZ-PC in deionized water (pH7.0) improved by 30-folds than free ABZ, and the AUC_0-t of ABZ-PC was significantly increased by 2.32 times in comparison with raw materials of ABZ through oral administration. The current study developed an effective method for the phospholipid complexation of ABZ. With significantly improved solubility in an aqueous environment, the prepared ABZ-PC exhibited improved oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic characteristics indicating it could be potentially applied in the oral drug delivery of ABZ.