Intraperitoneal co-administration of low dose urethane with xylazine and ketamine for extended duration of surgical anesthesia in rats

Annona Muricata L. extract restores renal function, oxidative stress, immunohistochemical structure, and gene expression of TNF-α, IL-β1, and CYP2E1 in the kidney of DMBA-intoxicated rats

Introduction: 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) is a harmful polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon derivative known for its cytotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects in mammals and other species. Annona muricata, L. (Graviola; GRV) is a tropical fruit tree traditionally well-documented for its various medicinal benefits. This investigation is the first report on the potential antioxidant and antinfammatory reno-protective impact of GRV against DMBA-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods: Forty male albino rats were allocated into four equal groups (n = 10). The 1st group served as the control, the 2nd group (GRV) was gastro-gavaged with GRV (200 mg/kg b.wt), the 3rd group (DMBA) was treated with a single dose of DMBA (15 mg/kg body weight), and the 4th group (DMBA + GRV) was gastro-gavaged with a single dose of DMBA, followed by GRV (200 mg/kg b.wt). The GRV administration was continued for 8 weeks. Results and Discussion: Results revealed a significant improvement in renal function, represented by a decrease in urea, creatinine, and uric acid (UA) in the DMBA + GRV group. The antioxidant potential of GRV was confirmed in the DMBA + GRV group by a significant decline in malondialdehyde (MDA) and a significant increase in catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S transferase (GST), and reduced glutathione (GSH) compared to DMBA-intoxicated rats; however, it was not identical to the control. Additionally, the antiinflammatory role of GRV was suggested by a significant decline in mRNA expression of cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily e, polypeptide 1 (CYP2E1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) in the DMBA + GRV group. Moreover, GRV improved the histopathologic and immunohistochemical expression of TNF-α, CYP450, and IL1β in DMBA-intoxicated kidney tissue. Conclusively, GRV is a natural medicinal product that can alleviate the renal injury resulting from environmental exposure to DMBA. The reno-protective effects of GRV may involve its anti-inflammatory and/or antioxidant properties, which are based on the presence of phytochemical compounds such as acetogenins, alkaloids, and flavonoids.

Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation of the Abdomen, Ear, and Tibial Nerve Modulates Bladder Contraction in a Rat Detrusor Overactivity Model: A Pilot Study

PURPOSE

The global prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) is estimated at 11.8%. Despite existing treatment options such as sacral neuromodulation, a substantial number of patients remain untreated. One potential alternative is noninvasive transcutaneous electrical stimulation. This form of stimulation does not necessitate the implantation of an electrode, thereby eliminating the need for highly skilled surgeons, expensive implantable devices, or regular hospital visits. We hypothesized that alternative neural pathways can impact bladder contraction.

METHODS

In this pilot study, we conducted transcutaneous electrical stimulation of the abdominal wall (T6-L1), the ear (vagus nerve), and the ankle (tibial nerve) of 3 anesthetized female Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulation was administered within a range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz, and its impact on intravesical pressure was measured. We focused on 3 primary outcomes related to intravesical pressure: (1) the pressure change from the onset of a contraction to its peak, (2) the average duration of contraction, and (3) the number of contractions within a specified timeframe. These measurements were taken while the bladder was filled with either saline or acetic acid (serving as a model for OAB).

RESULTS

Transcutaneous stimulation of the abdominal wall, ear, and ankle at a frequency of 20 Hz decreased the number of bladder contractions during infusion with acetic acid. As revealed by a comparison of various stimulation frequencies of the tibial nerve during bladder infusion with acetic acid, the duration of contraction was significantly shorter during stimulation at 1 kHz and 3 kHz relative to stimulation at 20 Hz (P = 0.025 and P = 0.044, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The application of transcutaneous electrical stimulation to the abdominal wall, ear, and tibial nerve could provide less invasive and more cost-effective treatment options for OAB relative to percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation and sacral neuromodulation. A follow-up study involving a larger sample size is recommended.

In vitro and in vivo studies of a newly synthesized copper-cetyl tri-methyl ammonium bromide combined with gallium oxide nanoparticles complex as an antitumor agent against hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most leading causes of death worldwide. Previous studies reported that gallium alone and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) have antineoplastic activities; therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the activity of copper-cetyl tri-methyl ammonium bromide with gallium oxide nanoparticles (Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs) against HCC by using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods: In vitro study was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs and GaO-NPs on HepG-2 cell line using crystal violet dye assay. In vivo study was done on diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) induced HCC Wister rats. Rats were randomly divided into eight groups; control, Cu-CTAB, GaO-NPs, Cu-CTAB+GaONPs, DEN, DEN+Cu-CTAB, DEN+GaO-NPs and DEN+Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs. Histopathological examination of liver and biochemical parameters such as liver function markers, oxidative stress-antioxidants markers, tumor makers, apoptosis makers were studied. Results: Results obtained from in vitro study revealed that Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs and GaO-NPs affect the cell viability of HepG-2 cancer cell with IC50 0.2 μg/ml and 360 μg/ml, respectively. Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs exerted an antiproliferative effect in experimental rat models of HCC, as demonstrated both histologically, since it facilitated the tissue recovery of the damaged liver, and biochemically as showed by the reduction of liver function markers (ALT & AST), oxidative stress markers (MDA) and tumor makers (AFP,TGF-β1,α-L-Fucosidase); while antioxidants markers (SOD), apoptosis markers (caspase-3 mRNA) and araginase activity were elevated in DEN+Cu-CTAB, DEN+GaO-NPs and DEN+Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs groups when compared to DEN group. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that both Cu-CTAB alone and/or combined with GaO-NPs exerted cytotoxic effects against DEN-induced HCC, which would in turn, speculate a possible therapeutic role of the novel Cu-CTAB+GaO-NPs compound.

Vitamin D3 potentiates the nephroprotective effects of vildagliptin-metformin combination in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

The current study was conducted to investigate the nephroprotective effects of vildagliptin-metformin combination in an experimental model of fructose/salt-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS). A major aim was to evaluate the potential capacity of vitamin D3 to potentiate the pleiotropic nephroprotective effects of vildagliptin-metformin combination. MetS was induced in adult male Wistar rats by adding fructose (10%) to everyday drinking water and salt (3%) to the diet for 6 weeks. Along with the same concentrations of fructose/salt feeding, MetS rats were then treated orally with either vildagliptin (10 mg/kg/day)-metformin (200 mg/kg/day) combination, vitamin D3 (10 μg/kg/day), or the triple therapy for a further 6 weeks. The incidence of MetS was confirmed 6 weeks after fructose/salt consumption, when the rats exhibited significant weight gain, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and impaired glucose tolerance. At the end of the 12-week experimental period, MetS rats displayed significantly deteriorated renal function, enhanced intrarenal oxidative stress and inflammation together with exaggerated renal histopathological damages and interstitial fibrosis. The study has corroborated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects of vildagliptin-metformin combination, vitamin D3, and the triple collaborative therapy, conferring renoprotection in the setting of MetS. Due attention has been paid to the crucial role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition and sirtuin-1/5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation as novel therapeutic targets to optimize renoprotection. The apparent potentiating effect, evoked upon coadministration of vitamin D3 with vildagliptin-metformin combination, may provide a cornerstone for further clinical investigations.

Fluorescent Nanoparticles Coated with a Somatostatin Analogue Target Blood Monocyte for Efficient Leukaemia Treatment

BACKGROUND

Leukaemia is the most prevalent form of cancer-causing death in a large number of populations and needs prompt and effective treatment. Chemotherapeutics can be used to treat leukaemia, but their pronounced killing effects to other living cells is still an issue. Active targeting to certain specific receptors in leukaemic cells is the best way to avoid damage to other living cells. Leukaemic cells can be targeted using novel nanoparticles (NPs) coated with a specific ligand, such as octreotide (OCD), to target somatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR₂), which is expressed in leukaemic cells.

METHODS

Amino-PEGylated quantum dots (QDs) were chosen as model NPs. The QDs were first succinylated using succinic anhydride and then coated with OCD. The reactivity and selectivity of the formulated QDs-OCD were studied in cell lines with well-expressed SSTR₂, while fluorescence was detected using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry (FACS). Conclusively, QD-OCD targeting to blood cells was studied in vivo in mice and detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and CLSM in tissues.

RESULTS

Highly stable QDs coated with OCD were prepared. FACS and CLSM showed highly definite interactions with overexpressed SSTR₂ in the investigated cell lines. Moreover, the in vivo results revealed a higher concentration of QDs-OCD in blood cells. The fluorescence intensity of the QDs-OCD was highly accumulated in blood cells, while the unmodified QDs did not accumulate significantly in blood cells.

CONCLUSION

The formulated novel QDs-OCD can target SSTR₂ overexpressed in blood cells with great potential for treating blood cancer.

Preparation and Evaluation of Mosapride Citrate Dual-Release Dry Suspension

In this paper, a novel formulation of dual-release dry suspension of mosapride citrate (DRDS-MC) was designed which can be quickly released in the stomach while having sustained-release effect. Co-grinding mixture of mosapride citrate (MC) together with L-HPC as hydrophilic excipient was prepared in order to improve the solubility of MC. The co-grinding mixture was characterized by solubility studies, DSC, X-RD, SEM, FTIR, and size distribution before the preparation of the DRDS-MC. Then, the co-grinding mixture was used to prepare DRDS-MC via wet granulation method. The evaluation of DRDS-MC was focused on physicochemical properties, intestinal absorption, and pharmacokinetics. The results of DSC, X-RD, SEM, FTIR, and size distribution indicated that MC resides in co-grinding mixture with no crystalline changes, hydrogen bonds made L-HPC greatly improving the solubility of MC. Then, the dissolution of DRDS-MC reached 70% in pH 1.2 within 2 h, and the 12-h dissolution of MC in pH 6.8 was nearly 80%. The sedimentation volume after 3 h was 0.94 and redispersibility was good. The linear regression equation between in vitro release of DRDS-MC and intestinal absorption fraction in rats was: Y = 29.215 + 47.535*X (r = 0.952). At last, pharmacokinetic studies in beagle dogs demonstrated that DRDS-MC has prolonged effect compared with commercial formulation Gasmotin as a reference. All results indicated that the DRDS-MC could be quickly released in the stomach while having sustained-release effect.