Spiperone Stimulates Regeneration in Pulmonary Endothelium Damaged by Cigarette Smoke and Lipopolysaccharide

Background

Endothelial dysfunction and destruction of the pulmonary microcirculation are important pathogenic factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD, bronchial obstruction is associated with endothelial dysfunction. Thus, new pharmacological treatment options aimed at restoring the pulmonary endothelium represent a clinical need in COPD therapy. Notch1 has been shown to protect cells against apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Therefore, drug which effect on Notch1 may be a potential therapeutic target for COPD in the future.

Methods

In this study, we assessed the potential of spiperone to mediate regeneration of pulmonary endothelium in model of pulmonary emphysema induced by a CSE and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in female C57BL/6 mice.

Results

Spiperone increased the number of capillaries as well as the expression of the CD31 in the alveolar tissue compared to the controls. Moreover, application of spiperone prevented alveolar wall destruction (DI), and reduced the area of emphysema. Lastly, we demonstrated that spiperone positively influenced mobilization and migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC, CD45⁻CD34⁺CD31⁺), CD309⁺-endothelial cells, and angiogenesis precursors (CD45⁻CD117⁺CD309⁺) into the lung. Spiperone administration significantly reduced the number Notch1 positive CD309⁺-endothelial cells and Notch1+ EPCs.

Conclusion

Overall, our results suggest that spiperone mediates endothelial regeneration in an animal model of COPD. Thus, it could represent a novel therapeutic approach for treatment of emphysema associated with COPD.

Impact of Covid-19 on farming systems in Europe through the lens of resilience thinking

CONTEXT

Resilience is the ability to deal with shocks and stresses, including the unknown and previously unimaginable, such as the Covid-19 crisis.

OBJECTIVE

This paper assesses (i) how different farming systems were exposed to the crisis, (ii) which resilience capacities were revealed and (iii) how resilience was enabled or constrained by the farming systems' social and institutional environment.

METHODS

The 11 farming systems included have been analysed since 2017. This allows a comparison of pre-Covid-19 findings and the Covid-19 crisis. Pre-Covid findings are from the SURE-Farm systematic sustainability and resilience assessment. For Covid-19 a special data collection was carried out during the early stage of lockdowns.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Our case studies found limited impact of Covid-19 on the production and delivery of food and other agricultural products. This was due to either little exposure or the agile activation of robustness capacities of the farming systems in combination with an enabling institutional environment. Revealed capacities were mainly based on already existing connectedness among farmers and more broadly in value chains. Across cases, the experience of the crisis triggered reflexivity about the operation of the farming systems. Recurring topics were the need for shorter chains, more fairness towards farmers, and less dependence on migrant workers. However, actors in the farming systems and the enabling environment generally focused on the immediate issues and gave little real consideration to long-term implications and challenges. Hence, adaptive or transformative capacities were much less on display than coping capacities. The comparison with pre-Covid findings mostly showed similarities. If challenges, such as shortage of labour, already loomed before, they persisted during the crisis. Furthermore, the eminent role of resilience attributes was confirmed. In cases with high connectedness and diversity we found that these system characteristics contributed significantly to dealing with the crisis. Also the focus on coping capacities was already visible before the crisis. We are not sure yet whether the focus on short-term robustness just reflects the higher visibility and urgency of shocks compared to slow processes that undermine or threaten important system functions, or whether they betray an imbalance in resilience capacities at the expense of adaptability and transformability.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our analysis indicates that if transformations are required, e.g. to respond to concerns about transnational value chains and future pandemics from zoonosis, the transformative capacity of many farming systems needs to be actively enhanced through an enabling environment.

Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid Contributes to Restoration of Testicular Tissue Function and Influences Spermatogonial Stem Cells in Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic syndrome can lead to several challenging complications including degeneration of the pancreas and hypogonadism. Recently, we have shown that Bisamide Derivative of Dicarboxylic Acid (BDDA) can contribute to pancreatic restoration in mice with metabolic disorders via its positive effects on lipid and glucose metabolism, and by increasing the numbers of pancreatic stem cells. In the present study, we hypothesized that BDDA might also be effective in restoring hypogonadism caused by metabolic syndrome. Experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice with hypogonadism, where metabolic disorders have been introduced by a combination of streptozotocin treatment and high fat diet. Using a combination of histological and biochemical methods along with a flow cytometric analysis of stem and progenitor cell markers, we evaluated the biological effects of BDDA on testicular tissue, germ cells, spermatogonial stem cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as on fertility. We demonstrate that in mice with metabolic disorders, BDDA has positive effects on spermatogenesis and restores fertility. We also show that BDDA exerts its therapeutic effects by reducing inflammation and by modulating spermatogonial stem cells. Thus, our results suggest that BDDA could represent a promising lead compound for the development of novel therapeutics able to stimulate regeneration of the testicular tissue and to restore fertility in hypogonadism resulting from complications of metabolic syndrome.

Antifibrotic and Regenerative Effects of Treamid in Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive disease characterized by interstitial fibrosis and progressive respiratory failure. Pirfenidone and nintedanib slow down but do not stop the progression of IPF. Thus, new compounds with high antifibrotic activity and simultaneously regenerative activity are an unmet clinical need. Recently, we showed that Treamid can help restoring the pancreas and testicular tissue in mice with metabolic disorders. We hypothesized that Treamid may be effective in antifibrotic therapy and regeneration of damaged lung tissue in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, experiments were performed on male C57BL/6 mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We applied histological and immunohistochemical methods, ELISA, and assessed the expression of markers of endothelial and epithelial cells in primary cultures of CD31⁺ and CD326⁺ lung cells. Finally, we evaluated esterase activity and apoptosis of lung cells in vitro. Our data indicate that Treamid exhibits antifibrotic activity in mice with pulmonary fibrosis and has a positive effect on capillaries of the lungs. Treamid also increases the number of endothelial progenitor cells in the lungs of animals with pulmonary fibrosis. Lastly, Treamid increases esterase activity and decreases apoptosis of CD31⁺ lung cells in vitro. Based on these findings, we suggest that Treamid may represent a promising compound for the development of new antifibrotic agents, which are capable of stimulating regeneration of lung endothelium in IPF patients.

Endoscopic lithotripsy with a new device combining ultrasound and lithoclast

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Endoscopic lithotripsy is still the method of choice for a number of stones, especially large stones. Various disintegration techniques exist. We investigated the combination of two of these techniques: ultrasound and pneumatic lithotripsy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fourteen consecutive patients with renal and one patient with bladder stones were treated with this new device. Ultrasound and pneumatic lithotripsy could be used independently or simultaneously.

RESULTS

Disintegration and stone removal was fast. The use of forceps or other instruments could generally be avoided. No complications attributable to the lithotripsy device were observed.

CONCLUSION

The combined ultrasound/pneumatic lithotripsy device is safe and highly effective. It reduces treatment time and enhances surgeon's comfort.