Nickel ions influence the transepithelial sodium transport in the trachea, intestine and skin

The Eleutherococcus senticosus fruits' intractum affects changes in the transepithelial electric potential in the distal section of the rabbit's large intestine and inhibits hyaluronidase

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. has been used in traditional Russian medicine due to its recognized immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory activities. Compounds present in the fruits have demonstrated the capability to modulate the activity of enzymes such as hyaluronidase, suggesting their potential value in the development of effective therapies for various conditions where anti-inflammatory properties are beneficial, such as gastrointestinal diseases and tumor growth.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In order to support the use of the fruits in folk medicine, this study is aimed to evaluate, post-mortem, the impact of E. senticosus fruits intractum (40 % extract made from fresh fruits) on the transepithelial electrogenic transport of sodium ions in the colon. The objective of this study was also to examine the impact of the intractum on proinflammatory serum hyaluronidase in children diagnosed with acute leukemia.

METHODS

The study employed the Ussing technique to examine electrophysiological characteristics of isolated epithelial tissue, using the distal colon wall isolated from 10 New Zealand white male rabbits. The effect of the intractum on the inhibition of human serum hyaluronidase was examined with turbidimetric screening methods, using the blood samples collected from patients diagnosed with acute leukemia.

RESULTS

For the first time, we discovered that the intractum used in the stimulation fluid, caused hyperpolarization reactions in colon tissue. Statistical analysis showed that these reactions were significantly different in relation to the control. The intractum significantly inhibited hyaluronidase activity with the mean value by group of 60 %, and 40 % for aescin used as a control.

CONCLUSION

The results support the traditional use of the fruits in inflammatory-related diseases. The use of intractum of E. senticosus on the distal colon wall demonstrates its protective effect on the wall integrity and in a relation to hyaluronidase inhibition may additionally indicate its anti-inflammatory property. Thus, the results mean that the intractum may be used in colon-related diseases.

Chitosan-Glycolic Acid Gel Modification of Chloride Ion Transport in Mammalian Skin: An In Vitro Study

Chitosan, a polyaminosaccharide with high medical and cosmetic potential, can be combined with the beneficial properties of glycolic acid to form a gel that not only moisturizes the skin, but also has a regenerative effect. Its involvement in the activation of biochemical processes may be associated with the activity of skin ion channels. Therefore, the aim of the research was to evaluate the immediate (15 s) and long-term (24 h) effect of chitosan-glycolic acid gel (CGG) on the transepithelial electric potential and the transepithelial electric resistance (R) of skin specimens tested in vitro. Stimulation during immediate and prolonged application of CGG to skin specimens resulted in a significant decrease in the measured minimal transepithelial electric potential (PDmin). The absence of any change in the R after the CGG application indicates that it does not affect the skin transmission, or cause distortion, microdamage or changes in ion permeability. However, the reduction in potential may be due to the increased transport of chloride ions, and thus water, from outside the cell into the cell interior. Increased secretion of chloride ions is achieved by stimulating the action of the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance). It can be assumed that chitosan gently stimulates the secretion of chlorides, while maintaining a tendency to reduce the transport of sodium ions, without causing deformation or tissue damage.

30-Min Exposure to Tobacco Smoke Influences Airway Ion Transport-An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Smoking is one of the most important causes of cancer in humans. However, it has not been proven how long exposure to cigarette smoke is sufficient to induce cancerogenesis. Cigarette smoke can cause changes in ion and water transport and the maintenance of mucociliary transport. The conducted research concerned the assessment of changes in ion transport in rabbit tracheal specimens after 30 min of exposure to cigarette smoke. Materials and Methods: A modified Ussing chamber was used to measure the transepithelial electrical potential under stationary conditions (PD) and during mechanical stimulation (PDmin), and the transepithelial electrical resistance (R) in control and cigarette smoke-exposed tracheal fragments. Results: Significant changes in PD (-2.53 vs. -3.92 mV) and PDmin (-2.74 vs. -0.39 mV) were noted for the samples exposed to smoke, which can be associated with a rise in reactivity after applying a mechanical stimulus. In addition, the measured R (108 vs. 136 Ω/cm²) indicated no changes in the vitality of the samples, but an increase in their permeability to ions in the experimental conditions. Conclusions: A single 30-min exposure to cigarette smoke has been shown to be associated with increased permeability of the tracheal epithelium to ions and thus to substances emitted during smoking, which might be sufficient to create the possibility of initiating procarcinogenic processes.