The influence of Selol on the expression of oxidative stress genes in normal and malignant prostate cells

Selol is a mixture of selenitriglycerides, obtained by the chemical modification of sunflower oil, which contain selenium at the +4 oxidation state. The aim of the present study was to describe the changes in the expression of genes related to oxidative stress caused by Selol in prostate cells: both normal (PNT1A) and malignant (LNCaP). The changes in gene expression in PNT1A and LNCaP cell lines under the influence of Selol were measured using a 96-well RT(2) Profiler ™PCR Array: Human Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Defense, which arrayed 84 genes functionally involved in the cellular oxidative stress response. Based on the obtained data, LNCaP cells exhibited a significantly lower potential for antioxidant defence when compared to PNT1A cells. The response of the malignant LNCaP cells to exposure to Selol was significantly different from that of the normal PNT1A cells, especially after 48 h of incubation. In the case of LNCaP cells, Selol causes down-regulation of the expression of many vital genes. Under in vitro conditions, the efficacy of Selol slightly changes with increasing concentration, but significantly increases when the incubation time is lengthened.

Assessment of the genotoxic activity of alpha-asarone and its derivatives in the comet assay

In our previous paper we examined mutagenic and genotoxic activity of 4 alpha-asarone isomers 2-5 exhibiting relatively high hypolipidemic activity. In the present paper, we examined genotoxic activity of alpha-asarone and its isomers as the ability to damage cellular DNA, evaluated in the comet assay. Additionally, mutagenic activity of alpha-asarone in Ames test has been examined. The Ames test for alpha-asarone was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the PN-EN ISO 10993-3 standard. Compounds 4 and 5 were found to be devoid of any genotoxic activity while maintaining their hypolipemic potential. Because mutagenic activity of compound 4 was also minor it could be considered as a candidate for further pharmacological evaluation. Genotoxic but not mutagenic activity of alpha-asarone has been confirmed.

Analysis of biologically active peptides using two-dimensional HPLC-CE

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is a technique most frequently used for the assessment of biologically active peptides. Owing to the ionic character of these compounds, they may also be separated and assayed using capillary electrophoresis (CE), which offers very high efficiency, short analysis time and low consumption of reagents, and is used increasingly more often. The paper describes the combination of HPLC and CE in order to increase the efficiency of the separation of complex mixture of peptides (active substance and its related impurities). The developed two-dimensional HPLC-CE technique was employed for the analysis of the impurities of octreotide, a cyclic octapeptide used in therapy. Because distinct separation mechanisms are used, the two-dimensional technique ensures higher separation efficiency and a more comprehensive impurity profile of the medicinal product than either of the techniques used separately.

Effects of bilberry fruit aqueous extract and selected antibiotics on immune response in mice

It was demonstrated that an extract from the pharmacopoeial raw material bilberry fruit (Fructus Myrtilli) co-administered with selected antibiotics: cefuroxime, cefoperazone and doxycycline, positively affects the survival of mouse thymocytes in cultures with hydrocortisone (cytotoxicity test), increases the count of splenocytes forming spontaneous rosettes (E-rosette test) and increases the agglutination titre of mouse serum (active hemagglutination test). In the cytotoxicity test, the best protective effect has been obtained with the combination of doxycycline with bilberry fruit aqueous extract. The increased count of splenocytes capable of binding sheep red blood cells has been observed for cultures with cephalosporins (cefuroxime and cefoperazone). The highest agglutination titre has been demonstrated for mouse serum treated with the extract in combination with doxycycline and cefuroxime.

Genotoxicity of alpha-asarone analogues

The role of cholesterol in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions during hypercholesterolemia has been confirmed. alpha-Asarone is a substance of a potent hypolipidemic activity which is isolated from plants. We previously described the synthesis of several alpha-asarone analogues exhibiting hypolipidemic and antiplatelet activity. Genotoxic activity of four selected alpha-asarone analogues was theoretically evaluated based on quantum-mechanical method for calculation of enthalpy of carbocations formation (DeltaH(R)) according to the Testa's method. In the present paper, we evaluated the mutagenic and genotoxic activity of alpha-asarone isomers 2-5 based on the reference Ames test and micronucleus test. Results obtained in the study show that tested isomers were non-mutagenic, however, they exhibited growing cytotoxic activity. Relationship between the heat of formation of their putative metabolic intermediates and mutagenic/genotoxic activity was not confirmed.

Estimation of DNA damage and cytotoxicity of anthracycline analogs in human melanoma cells on early and late passages

Human malignant melanoma is a major problem characterized by both rapid rising incidence and strong chemoresistance. The aim of present experiments was to estimate the effects on DNA of new anthracycline analogs in melanoma cells obtained from various patients, cultured on early (E) and late (L) passages. For determination of cytotoxic effect, MTT assay was used and comet assay was used for the detection of DNA damage. The discrepancy between the intensity of DNA damage processes and IC50 values may indicate that there are some critical loci in the genome, responsible for cell death.

In vitro angiomodulatory activity of sera from type 2 diabetic patients with background retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of adult vision loss and blindness. The most important contributors to the development of diabetic retinopathy are hyperglycemia and hypoxemia that lead to increased vasopermeability, endothelial cell proliferation, and pathological neovascularization. In our previous studies, close relationship between proangiogenic activity of sera from type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (DM2) with background retinopathy, assessed in the in vivo serum-induced mouse cutaneous test (SIA), and VEGF and IL-18 serum concentration were observed. Moreover, it was clearly shown that IGF-1 might play an important role in the negative regulation of neoangiogenesis induced by DM2 patients' sera by diminishing the VEGF stimulatory effect. To confirm the observed phenomenon we evaluated the effect of DM2 patients' sera on the in vitro proliferative activity of human endothelial cells, which is critical for the sprouting and generation of new blood capillaries. Endothelial proliferative activity was significantly higher in the presence of sera from DM2 patients than from healthy controls (P<0.001), as estimated by the MTT test. Moreover, the examined sera from DM2 patients were characterized by increased IL-18 (P<0.05), diminished IGF-1 (P<0.02), and unchanged VEGF levels compared with those in controls. In conclusion, the present study showed a strong stimulatory effect of DM2 patients' sera on the proliferation of endothelial cells, which, along with the findings of our previous studies, proves that the described phenomenon is universal and valid for both animal and human endothelium.

Separation of synthetic food colourants in the mixed micellar system

The paper presents a rapid method for the determination of commonly used synthetic food dyes by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. Detection and separation conditions allowing complete resolution of 15 synthetic food colourants were investigated. The effect of different surfactants on the analytes mobility in relation to their structure was tested. After optimization procedure a dual micellar system was selected. All food dyes were separated in less then 20 min using a fused silica capillary in the borate/dodecylsulfate/deoxycholate buffer containing acetonitrile as organic modifier. The detection wavelength was set at 210nm. The method was successfully validated by determination of linearity ranges, detection limits, precision and repeatability for all colourants tested. In order to apply the method for pharmaceutical analysis a sample pretreatment procedures were found. Liquid pharmaceuticals were used as it or just after dilution with water. From tablets or capsules the colourants were isolated by adsorption on acidic aluminium oxide. The method was used for identification and if possible for quantification the synthetic food dyes in pharmaceuticals. The analytes are detectable at a concentration level 0.3-0.8 microg ml(-1).

The separation of EPO from other proteins in medical products formulated with different stabilizers

The RP-HPLC method, useful for the separation of a protein of the erythropoietin formulations with different stabilizers, was elaborated. Using this method, rhEPO, HSA and other proteins, can be determined, depending on the sample composition. The method is sensitive and rapid. Our results indicate that this method is useful for quality control of rhEPO in final drug preparations with albumin as stabilizer. The method was also capable of distinguishing products from different manufacturers.

The influence of plant raw materials, containing ellagic acid and selected antibiotics on immunological response in mice

It is demonstrated that the combined addition to a culture of aqueous extracts from tannin pharmacopoeial raw materials, containing elladic acid (Cortex Quercus, Folium Uvae ursi and Rhizoma Tormentillae) and the antibiotics: cefuroxime, cefoperazone and doxycycline influences the enhancement of survival of mouse thymocytes in cultures with supplementation of hydrocortisone. A cytotoxic test was used for the evaluation. The presented results confirmed that each of the applied aqueous extracts shows a better survival of mouse thymocytes after combined addition of an antibiotic to the culture. The extract from Cortex Quercus showed the highest activation when added to the culture with cefuroxime, whereas cefoperazone best stimulation demonstrated when combined with the extract from Rhizoma Tormentillae, and doxycycline with the extract from Folium Uvae ursi.

Evaluation of mutagenic and genotoxic activities of new derivatives of anthracyclines

The phenomenon of multidrug resistance is connected with an increased efflux of cytotoxic agents from the cells and is a serious problem in the treatment with anthracycline antibiotics. Search for new antitumor drugs from the anthracycline group are focused on the syntheris of derivatives with changes in saccharide and anthracycline parts. The genotoxic activity of selected nine new derivatives of anthracycline was evaluate basing on reference tests: micronucleus test in vitro and the Ames test. A correlation was observed between the results obtained in the Ames test and those received in the micronucleus test. In both tests, derivative WP903 demonstrated a strong genotoxic action.

The effect of the Melissa officinalis extract on immune response in mice

The effect of an extract from Melissa officinalis on immune response in mice was analysed using the cytotoxicity test in three dilutions (undiluted extract and extract diluted 10 and 100 times) and hemagglutination and rosette tests with various routes of administration (oral and subcutaneous). The immunostimulating activity of the extract was compared with that of a synthetic compound--levamisole, which influence on the immune system is well known. The present results confirm the effect of water extracts from leaves of Melissa on the immune system, in both humoral and cellular response.

Determination of immunological activity in vitro of some plant raw materials

Aqueous extracts of five tannin plant raw materials have been studied for the survivals of thymocytes from the thymus of Balb-c mice. The immunostimulation activity was compared with a preparation from calf thymi TFX and phenolic acids: ellagic and gallic acids. It was found that only the Fructus Myrtilli extract has revealed a statistically significant influence on the survival of thymocytes.

Tofisopam--evaluation of mutagenic and genotoxic properties

The mutagenic properties of tofisopam, the member of the 2,3-benzodiazepine family, were evaluated on the basis of Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium TA1537, TA97, TA98, TA100 and TA102 strains. The genotoxic properties of tofisopam were estimated on L929 cell line with the cytokinesis-block technique. Under the experimental conditions, no mutagenic activity of tofisopam in tester bacteria strains was found, and no genotoxic activity was observed.

The use of HPLC method for determination of the folic acid in multi-component vitamin preparations

In the present study we tried to use HPLC method to determine the folic acid content in multivitamin and multimineral pharmaceutical preparations. The reverse phases technique was applied and measurements were made at the wavelength 282 nm. The elaborated method, because of its sufficient precision, accuracy as well as short time retention of folic acid may be used as an alternative method to microbiological.

Effects of busulfan on embryonic cells in vitro

The DNA synthesis inhibition test and the DNA repair test have been used to study the effects of interaction between busulfan and DNA synthesis in two cell systems in vitro. The results of this study indicate that busulfan at concentration 500 and 1000 micrograms/ml damages mouse and human embryo cells. They also suggest that mouse embryo cells are unable to repair this damage.

Comparison of transforming, antimitotic and chromosomal aberration-inducing properties of melphalan and cyclophosphamide

Melphalan and cyclophosphamide, cytostatics used for cancer therapy, were investigated for their ability to induce morphological transformation of embryonic cells of the golden hamster and to evoke structural chromosome aberrations. The antimitotic action of both drugs was also investigated. Cyclophosphamide, under conditions in which it did not produce either structural chromosomal aberrations or exerted cytotoxic action, induced morphological transformation of hamster cells. Under the experimental conditions melphalan induced morphological transformation of hamster cells at concentrations not inducing chromosomal aberrations.

Effect of excess methionine on methotrexate cell-killing action in vitro

Methionine at the concentrations 10, 15 and 20 times higher than in complete Fischer's medium produced a transient impairment or a transient block in the growth of L 5178 Y cells in culture without influencing their viability. Autoradiographic data revealed that methionine-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis was followed by a partial synchronization of cells in the phase of DNA synthesis. Methionine at a high concentration (1.5 mg/ml) enhanced the cell-killing action of methotrexate under conditions of delayed drug addition and did not diminish it when added with the drug simultaneously.