Pentoxifylline protects against loss of function and renal interstitial fibrosis in chronic experimental partial ureteral obstruction

Pentoxifylline as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy for COVID-19: Impeding the Burden of the Cytokine Storm

The outburst of inflammatory response and hypercoagulability are among the factors contributing to increased mortality in severe COVID-19 cases. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a xanthine-derived drug registered for the treatment of vascular claudication, has been reported to display broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties via adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-related mechanisms, in parallel to its rheological actions. Prior studies have indicated the efficacy of PTX in the treatment of various pulmonary diseases, including the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome of infectious causes. Therefore, PTX has been proposed to have potential benefits in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, as well as its complications. The aim of this review is to discuss available knowledge regarding the role of PTX as a complementary therapeutic in SARS-CoV-2.

Saroglitazar attenuates renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction via inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

Obstructive nephropathy is a common clinical case that causes chronic kidney disease and ultimately progresses to end-stage renal disease. The activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) reduces tubulointerstitial fibrosis and inflammation associated with obstructive nephropathy.

AIMS

This study was carried out to investigate the potential effect of saroglitazar, dual PPAR-α/γ agonist, in alleviating renal fibrosis induced by unilateralureteral obstruction (UUO).

MAIN METHODS

Twenty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were haphazardly divided into four groups of six rats each, including sham operated group, vehicle- or saroglitazar-treated UUO and saroglitazar groups. Rats received oral gavage of saroglitazar (3 mg/kg/day) for 13 days. On day 14, all rats were sacrificed; blood and renal tissues were collected.

KEY FINDINGS

Saroglitazar inhibited UUO-induced oxidative stress; it decreased the elevated levels of MDA and nitric oxide and increased levels of GSH and SOD in renal tissue. Moreover, saroglitazar repressed UUO-induced inflammation; it decreased the renal levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, saroglitazar inhibited the accumulation of extracellular matrix via decreasing collagen, hydroxylproline and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels. Saroglitazar also decreased the expression of both the alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tumor growth factor-beta (TGF-β). These effects were in parallel with reduction in mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (smad3) expression and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels.

SIGNIFICANCE

Collectively, the protective impact of saroglitazar might be attributed to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects against UUO-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis through its regulatory effect on TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Cationic and anionic unloaded polymeric nanocapsules: Toxicological evaluation in rats shows low toxicity

The experimental design aiming at evaluating the performance of drugs nanoencapsulated involves inclusion of a formulation without drug (unloaded). This formulation has sometimes presented per se effect. In this sense, we sought to evaluate the toxicity of unloaded polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) with different surfaces (cationic and anionic) in male Wistar rats in male Wistar rats. The physicochemical characterization of NCs with different surfaces: polysorbate 80 (P80), polyethylene glycol (PEG), eudragit ®RS 100 (EUD) and chitosan (CS) was performed. Rats were treated with unloaded NCs (P80, PEG, EUD and CS surfaces) daily for 14 days per oral route. 24 h of last treatment, animals were euthanized and organs were removed and weighted. After, biochemical determinations were performed. In general, NCs-surfaces did not cause alterations in body weight, weight of organs and histopathological analysis. PEG-surface NCs did not generate hepatotoxicity. In investigation of lipid profile, the surface with P80 changed TC and HDL-C levels. Besides that, all NCs did not alter oxidative stress markers in organs studied (TBARS and Reactive Species) and CS-surface presented antioxidant activity in kidney. This study demonstrated that NCs-surfaces depending on their physicochemical characteristics had low or no toxicity.