Hematological and biochemical profile of BALB/c nude and C57BL/6 SCID female mice after ovarian xenograft

Pectolinarigenin regulates the tumor-associated proteins in AGS-xenograft BALB/c nude mice

BACKGROUND

Pectolinarigenin (PEC) is a flavone extracted from Cirsium, and because it has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-cancer research is also being conducted. The objective of this work was to find out if PEC is involved in tumor control and which pathways it regulates in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

AGS cell lines were xenografted into BALB/c nude mice to create tumors, and PEC was administered intraperitoneally to see if it was involved in tumor control. Once animal testing was completed, tumor proteins were isolated and identified using LC-MS analysis, and gene ontology of the found proteins was performed.

RESULTS

Body weight and hematological measurements on the xenograft mice model demonstrated that PEC was not harmful to non-cancerous cells. We found 582 proteins in tumor tissue linked to biological reactions such as carcinogenesis and cell death signaling. PEC regulated 6 out of 582 proteins in vivo and in vitro in the same way.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that PEC therapy may inhibit tumor development in gastric cancer (GC), and proteomic research gives fundamental information about proteins that may have great promise as new therapeutic targets in GC.

Increase in the Immune Response in Balb/c Mice after the Co-Administration of a Vector-Based COVID-19 Vaccine with Cytosine Phosphoguanine Oligodeoxynucleotide

The effects of cytosine phosphoguanine oligodeoxynucleotides (CPG ODNs) on immune response have been demonstrated for different vaccines; however, such information is limited for the vector-based Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper aims to demonstrate the potential effect of CPG ODNs on immunological response against the vector-based COVID-19 vaccine on Balb/c mice using a JNJ-78436735 Ad26.COV2-S recombinant as a model vaccine. A total of 18 BALB/c mice clustered into six groups were used. All groups were observed for 14- and 28-days post immunization. Qualitative determination of IgG was performed using indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and qPCR for cytokine profiling. A significant (p ≤ 0.001) rise in antibody response was observed for groups 3 and 4, who also showed increased expression levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) and Interferon Gamma (IFN-γ). Immunological parameters for toxicity were normal in all treatment groups. We conclude that supplementing vector-based COVID-19 vaccines with CpG ODNs has the potential to boost the body's immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

The effect of Gd-DOTA locations within PLGA-b-PEG micelle encapsulated IR-1061 on bimodal over-1000 nm near-infrared fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging

Multimodal imaging is attractive in biomedical research because it can provide multidimensional information about objects that individual techniques cannot accomplish. In particular, combining over one-thousand-nanometer near-infrared (OTN-NIR) fluorescence and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is promising for detecting lesions with high sensitivity and structural information. Herein, we describe the development of a bimodal OTN-NIR/MRI probe from gadolinium-tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetic acid (Gd-DOTA) conjugated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer (PLGA-b-PEG) micelle encapsulated IR-1061 at two different locations. One configuration contains Gd-DOTA at the end of the PEG of the hydrophilic shell and the other contains Gd-DOTA at the border of PLGA/PEG. The two structures show remarkable differences in fluorescence and R₁ relaxation rates in biological environments; the structure with Gd-DOTA at the border of PLGA/PEG exhibits stable fluorescence and T₁ signal distribution in live mice. The introduction ratio of Gd-DOTA to PEG is significant for controlling the properties of both structures; a higher Gd-DOTA ratio is preferable for the contrast enhancement effect. We found that Gd-DOTA ratios higher than 10% degraded the fluorescence intensity when Gd-DOTA was bound to the end of PEG. In contrast, the introduction of 70% Gd-DOTA at the border of PLGA/PEG did not exhibit a degraded signal, and the structural stability was enhanced with higher ratios of Gd-DOTA. In conclusion, we confirmed that the location of Gd-DOTA is a crucial factor in designing high-performance probes. The overall properties improve when Gd-DOTA is set on the border of PLGA/PEG. These improvements in the properties by controlling the probe structures are promising for future biomedical applications.

Antitumor effect of radiation therapy on orthotopic PDX models of human esophageal adenocarcinoma

As a rule, esophageal adenocarcinoma develops in the lower esophagus. Life expectancy and survival rates depend on the cancer stage and the general health of the patient. Chemoradiotherapy is the most successful treatment approach to this type of cancer. The choice of optimal radiation doses for achieving the best possible therapeutic effect is still a challenge. The aim of this paper was to study effective radiation doses and assess response of human esophageal adenocarcinoma to radiation using a PDX model. The study was conducted in female Balb/c nude mice (n = 25). Fragments of the donor tumor were implanted into the cervical esophagus of immunodeficient mice. Effects of radiation on the obtained orthotopic xenografts were studied after each of 3 irradiation sessions (4, 6, 8, and 10 Gy in each of the experimental groups, respectively). First-passage xenografts reproduced the morphology of the donor tumor. The mean tumor volume differed significantly between the control group and the experimental groups exposed to 6, 8 or 10 Gy (р ≤ 0.01) after each irradiation session. Tumor growth delay was significant after exposure to the total dose of 18 Gy. The further radiation dose increase was ineffective. The reduction of tumor volume in the xenografts was correlated to the increase in the one-time radiation dose. The total dose over 18 Gy produced a detrimental effect on the hematopoietic system and blood biochemistry of the experimental mice.

Moringa oleifera hydorethanolic leaf extract induced acute and sub-acute hepato-nephrotoxicity in female ICR-mice

Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam belongs to the family Moringaceae. It is an important multipurpose tree that is largely distributed globally and has been used almost in every aspect of traditional medicine for the treatment of various illnesses including cancers, diabetes mellitus, asthma, arthritis, etc. This study investigated the effects of oral acute and sub-acute administration of M. oleifera hydroethanolic leaf extract (MOHE) in ICR-mice. Its major phenolic compounds were also determined. Ten (10) female, 8-week old mice were grouped into control and treatment groups for acute toxicity study. A dose of 2000 mg/kg MOHE was given once to the treatment group via oral gavage. However, for the sub-acute toxicity study, 25 mice were grouped into groups A (control), B (125 mg/kg), C (250 mg/kg), D (500 mg/kg) and E (1000 mg/kg). MOHE was given via oral gavage to groups B, C, D and E daily for 28 days. Group A received only distilled water. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiments and samples were collected for evaluation. The results of the chemical profiling of MOHE revealed the presence of glucomoringin, niaziminine, quercetin and kaempferol as the major compounds. The treated mice in the acute toxicity study were slightly anaemic and showed evidence of stress leukogram. Moreover, a slight increase in creatinine, significant increases in AST and CK, hepatic degeneration and necrosis, none-obstructive sinusoidal dilatation, renal tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis and renal interstitial oedema were observed. It is concluded that the LD50 of MOHE is higher than 2000 mg/kg. However, oral administration of MOHE causes acute mild anaemia and moderate hepato-nephrotoxicity in ICR-mice. Its major phenolic compounds are glucomoringin, niaziminine, quercetin and kaempferol.

Antineoplastic Activity of Rhus trilobata Nutt. (Anacardiaceae) against Ovarian Cancer and Identification of Active Metabolites in This Pathology

Rhus trilobata (RHTR) is a medicinal plant with cytotoxic activity in different cancer cell lines. However, the active compounds in this plant against ovarian cancer are unknown. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antineoplastic activity of RHTR and identify its active metabolites against ovarian cancer. The aqueous extract (AE) and an active fraction (AF02) purified on C₁₈-cartridges/ethyl acetate decreased the viability of SKOV-3 cells at 50 and 38 μg/mL, respectively, compared with CHO-K1 (>50 μg/mL) in MTT assays and generated changes in the cell morphology with apoptosis induction in Hemacolor^® and TUNEL assays (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA). The metabolite profile of AF02 showed a higher abundance of flavonoid and lipid compounds compared with AE by UPLC-MS^E. Gallic acid and myricetin were the most active compounds in RHTR against SKOV-3 cells at 50 and 166 μg/mL, respectively (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA). Antineoplastic studies in Nu/Nu female mice with subcutaneous SKOV-3 cells xenotransplant revealed that 200 mg/kg/i.p. of AE and AF02 inhibited ovarian tumor lesions from 37.6% to 49% after 28 days (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA). In conclusion, RHTR has antineoplastic activity against ovarian cancer through a cytostatic effect related to gallic acid and myricetin. Therefore, RHTR could be a complementary treatment for this pathology.

Short interfering RNA delivered by a hybrid nanoparticle targeting VEGF: Biodistribution and anti-tumor effect

BACKGROUND

The use of RNA interference (iRNA) therapy has proved to be an interesting target therapy for the cancer treatment; however, siRNAs are unstable and quickly eliminated from the bloodstream. To face these barriers, the use of biocompatible and efficient nanocarriers emerges as an alternative to improve the success application of iRNA to the cancer, including breast cancer.

RESULTS

A hybrid nanocarrier composed of calcium phosphate as the inorganic phase and a block copolymer containing polyanions as organic phase, named HNPs, was developed to deliver VEGF siRNA into metastatic breast cancer in mice. The particles presented a rounded shape by TEM images with average size measured by DLS suitable and biocompatible for biomedical applications. The XPS and EDS spectra confirmed the hybrid composition of the nanoparticles. Moreover, after intravenous administration, the particles accumulated mainly in the tumor site and kidneys, which demonstrates the tumor targeting accumulation through the Enhanced Permeability and Retention Effect (EPR). A significant decrease in size of the tumors treated with the nanoparticles containing siVEGF (HNPs-siVEGF) was observed and the reduction was related to enhanced tumor accumulation of siRNA as well as in vivo VEGF silencing at gene and protein levels.

CONCLUSION

The hybrid system prepared was successful in promoting the RNAi effect in vivo with very low toxicity.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study shows the valuable development of a hybrid nanoparticle carrying VEGF siRNA, as well as their tumor targeting, accumulation and reduction in mice triple-negative breast cancer.

Preclinical Assessment Addressing Intravenous Administration of a [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 Microemulsion: Acute In Vivo Toxicity, Tolerability, PET Imaging, and Biodistribution

It has been herein presented that a microemulsion, known to be an effective and safe drug delivery system following intravenous administration, can be loaded with traces of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 without losing its properties or causing toxicity. Following tolerated IV injections the capability of the microemulsion in altering [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-617 distribution was presented at 120 min post injection based on its ex vivo biodistribution results.

Anticancer activity of milk fat rich in conjugated linoleic acid against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in female Swiss albino mice

Background and Aim:

The major conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers have anticancer effect, especially breast cancer cells, inhibits cell growth and induces cell death. Also, CLA has several health benefits in vivo, including antiatherogenesis, antiobesity, and modulation of immune function. The present study aimed to assess the safety and anticancer effects of milk fat CLA against in vivo Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in female Swiss albino mice. This was based on acute toxicity study, detection of the tumor growth, life span of EAC bearing hosts, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and fifty adult female mice were equally divided into five groups. Groups (1-2) were normal controls, and Groups (3-5) were tumor transplanted mice (TTM) inoculated intraperitoneally with EAC cells (2×10⁶/0.2 mL). Group (3) was (TTM positive control). Group (4) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with milk fat CLA (40 mg CLA/kg body weight). Group (5) TTM fed orally on balanced diet supplemented with the same level of CLA 28 days before tumor cells inoculation. Blood samples and specimens from liver and kidney were collected from each group. The effect of milk fat CLA on the growth of tumor, life span of TTM, and simultaneous alterations in the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological profiles were examined.

Results:

For CLA treated TTM, significant decrease in tumor weight, ascetic volume, viable Ehrlich cells accompanied with increase in life span were observed. Hematological and biochemical profiles reverted to more or less normal levels and histopathology showed minimal effects.

Conclusion:

The present study proved the safety and anticancer efficiency of milk fat CLA and provides a scientific basis for its medicinal use as anticancer attributable to the additive or synergistic effects of its isomers.

Evaluation of In Vivo toxicity of Novel Biosurfactant from Candida parapsilosis loaded in PLA-PEG Polymeric Nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the toxicological profile of biosurfactant encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles of Polylactic acid-Polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) in mice. Hematological, biochemical and histopathological samples of rodents were evaluated. Mice were selected randomly and divided into 3 treatment groups and one control group. Group I mice served as a control group, Group II were administrated with biosurfactant, Group III were treated with Polymeric nanoparticles of PLA-PEG. Group IV mice were injected with biosurfactant loaded polymeric nanoparticles of PLA-PEG. The formulations were administered intravenously via tail vein with 20 μg/mL dose concentration of biosurfactant. The normal control group was injected with only PBS. Blood samples were collected on 7th, 14th and 21st day and hematological and biochemical assays were performed. After the blood collection, mice were sacrificed for histopathological examination. The results showed that there were no significant difference in hematology parameter between the control and treated group. Some minute, non-significant changes were found in biochemical parameters which were not considered. Histopathological result of selected vital organs revealed that the biosurfactant and/or PLA-PEG polymeric nanoparticles can be considered as safe as no toxicological features were observed in histopathology of tissues. Hence, it can be deliberated that the biosurfactant encapsulated in PLA-PEG copolymeric nanoparticles are non toxic and can provide a safe, suitable platform for biomedical applications in future.

Subacute Oral Administration of Clinacanthus nutans Ethanolic Leaf Extract Induced Liver and Kidney Toxicities in ICR Mice

This study investigated the leaves of Clinacanthus nutans for its bioactive compounds and acute and subacute toxicity effects of C. nutans ethanolic leaf extract (CELE) on blood, liver and kidneys of ICR mice. A total of 10 8-week-old female mice were divided into groups A (control) and B (2000 mg/kg) for the acute toxicity study. A single dose of 2000 mg/kg was administered to group B through oral gavage and mice were monitored for 14 days. In the subacute toxicity study, mice were divided into five groups: A (control), B (125 mg/kg), C (250 mg/kg), D (500 mg/kg) and E (1000 mg/kg). The extract was administered daily for 28 days via oral gavage. The mice were sacrificed, and samples were collected for analyses. Myricetin, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, isookanin, apigenin and ferulic acid were identified in the extract. Twenty-eight days of continuous oral administration revealed significant increases (p < 0.05) in creatinine, ALT and moderate hepatic and renal necrosis in groups D and E. The study concluded that the lethal dose (LD₅₀) of CELE in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg and that repeated oral administrations of CELE for 28 days induced hepatic and renal toxicities at 1000 mg/kg in female ICR mice.

Effect of Gallic acid and Myricetin on ovarian cancer models: a possible alternative antitumoral treatment

Background

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of mortality among malignant gynecological tumors. Surgical resection and chemotherapy with intravenous platinum/taxanes drugs are the treatments of choice, with little effectiveness in later stages and severe toxicological effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antineoplastic activity of gallic acid (GA) and myricetin (Myr) administrated peritumorally in Nu/Nu mice xenotransplanted with SKOV-3 cells.

Methods

Biological activity of GA and MYR was evaluated in SKOV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells (ovarian adenocarcinomas) by confocal/transmission electron microscopy, PI-flow cytometry, H₂-DCF-DA stain, MTT, and Annexin V/PI assays. Molecular targets of compounds were determined with ACD/I-Labs and SEA. Antineoplastic activity was performed in SKOV-3 cells subcutaneously xenotransplanted into female Nu/Nu mice treated peritumorally with 50 mg/kg of each compound (2 alternate days/week) for 28 days. Controls used were paclitaxel (5 mg/kg) and 20 μL of vehicle (0.5% DMSO in 1X PBS). Tumor lesions, organs and sera were evaluated with NMR, USG, histopathological, and paraclinical studies.

Results

In vitro studies showed a decrease of cell viability with GA and Myr in SKOV-3 (50 and 166 μg/mL) and OVCAR-3 (43 and 94 μg/mL) cells respectively, as well as morphological changes, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis induction due to ROS generation (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA). In silico studies suggest that GA and MYR could interact with carbonic anhydrase IX and PI3K, respectively. In vivo studies revealed inhibitory effects on tumor lesions development with GA and MYR up to 50% (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA), with decreased vascularity, necrotic/fibrotic areas, neoplastic stroma retraction and apoptosis. However, toxicological effects were observed with GA treatment, such as leukocyte infiltrate and hepatic parenchyma loss, hypertransaminasemia (ALT: 150.7 ± 25.60 U/L), and hypoazotemia (urea: 33.4 ± 7.4 mg/dL), due to the development of chronic hepatitis (p ≤ 0.05, ANOVA).

Conclusion

GA and Myr (50 mg/kg) administered by peritumoral route, inhibit ovarian tumor lesions development in rodents with some toxicological effects. Additional studies will be necessary to find the appropriate therapeutic dose for GA. Therefore, GA and Myr could be considered as a starting point for the development of novel anticancer agents.

Hematological reference values and animal welfare parameters of BALB/C-FMABC (Mus musculus) inoculated with Ehrlich tumor kept in the vivarium at ABC Medical School

BACKGROUND

Biochemical and hematological parameters are important tools for assessing the physiological profile of vital organs, and can be recorded to create reference values used for clinical diagnosis of diseases. Many research laboratories lack the means to establish their own set of reference parameters for use in their research, and while there are articles in the literature that discuss laboratory parameters for healthy BALB/c mice, few studies address the evaluation of these parameters in pathological situations, such as in mice inoculated with Ehrlich tumor.

METHOD

BALB/c-FMABC mice previously inoculated with Ehrlich tumor were maintained under appropriate conditions. Blood samples were taken for analysis of hematological parameters using automated and semi-automated equipment to create a set of the animal welfare parameters for evaluation.

RESULT

Results were obtained for all the hematological parameters for all groups analyzed. These showed: statistically significant differences between the initial and final tumor weight; comparable initial tumour volume and weight; an increase in leukocytes in the 7-day group with a characteristic predominance of lymphocytes and neutrophils; statistically significant changes in RDW in the 21-day group and in the welfare parameters in the 28-day group.

CONCLUSION

The study successfully defined and established reference values for hematological and welfare parameters for all groups analyzed.

Influence of graft size, histocompatibility,and cryopreservation on reproductive outcome following ovary transplantation in mice

Purpose

Transplantation of ovarian tissue is a valuable method to rescue mouse strains with fertility problems and to revitalize archived strains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of (i) different sizes of transplanted ovary pieces on reproductive outcome, (ii) use of immunodeficient recipients to overcome the limitation of histocompatibility, and (iii) to compare different protocols for cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.

Methods

Halves, quarters, and eights of mouse ovaries were transplanted. Half ovaries from B6 donors were transferred into immunodeficient mice. Halves of ovaries were frozen according to four different protocols, thawed and transferred.

Results

Pregnancy rate after transplantation of ovarian tissue was high (90–100%) independent of the transplant size. Although, the average litter size was significantly lower for recipients of quarters and eights (4.4 and 4.6 vs. 6.5), the total number of offspring produced per donor ovary was higher compared with recipients of halves. Pregnancy rate of immunodeficient recipients was 40% (mean 4.7 offspring per litter). All four cryopreservation protocols used were able to preserve functionality of the ovarian tissue.

Conclusions

Transplantation of ovarian tissue smaller than halves resulted in reduced litter sizes. The distribution of ovarian tissue of one donor female to 4 or 8 recipients will therefore yield in a higher total number of offspring in a certain time period. The use of immunodeficient recipients is an option for non-histocompatible donors. Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is generally feasible but the function of frozen-thawed ovary halves after transplantation differs depending on the freezing protocol used.