In vitro permeation through porcine buccal mucosa of caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) from a topical mucoadhesive gel containing propolis

Recent studies have shown that propolis has on the oral cavity appreciable antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral actions, as well as anti-inflammatory, anaesthetic and cytostatic properties. In light of these studies, an assessment of the diffusion and permeation of caffeic acid phenetyl ester (CAPE) through porcine buccal mucosa was considered useful as a possible application in the stomatological field. To do so, a mucoadhesive topical gel was prepared to apply to the buccal mucosa. The gel was formulated in such a way as to improve the solubility of the propolis, conducting to an increase of the flux. The mucosal permeation of CAPE from the formulation was evaluated using Franz cells, with porcine buccal mucosa as septum between the formulation (donor compartment) and the receptor phase chamber. The diffusion through the membrane was determined by evaluating the amount of CAPE present in the receiving solution, the flux and the permeation coefficient (at the steady state) in the different formulations at set intervals. Qualitative and quantitative determinations were done by HPLC analysis. From the results, CAPE allowed a high permeability coefficient in comparison to the coefficient of other molecules, as expected from its physical-chemical structure. Moreover, the developed gel improved the CAPE flux approximately 35 times more with respect to an ethanol solution formulated at the same gel concentration. The developed gel was also tested in order to evaluate the mucoadhesive behaviour and comfort in vivo on 10 volunteers in a period of 8 h. The in vivo evaluation of mucoadhesive gel revealed adequate comfort and non-irritancy during the period of study and it was well accepted by the volunteers.

The identification and stereochemical study of tetracycline antibiotics by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The 1H NMR spectra of seven tetracycline antibiotics of clinical importance are reported and assigned as solutes in DMSO-d6 and other solvents. The data are analysed in terms of analytical utility and the provision of evidence of solute stereochemistry.

Regulation of prolactin, thyrotropin subunit, and gonadotropin subunit gene expression by pulsatile or continuous calcium signals

We investigated the importance of calcium (Ca2+) influx in increasing the steady state concentrations of mRNAs coding for the pituitary peptides PRL, alpha, and TSH, LH, and FSH beta-subunits. Adult female rat pituitaries were dissociated, plated for 48 h, then inserted into perifusion chambers. Secretory responses were measured after 2 and 22 h of perifusion, and after 24 h, the cells were recovered, total RNA was extracted, and mRNAs were assayed by dot blot hybridization. The first experiment examined the effect of the Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil (100 microM) on the stimulatory action of pulsatile TRH (4 nM; 60-min interval) or GnRH (100 pM; 60-min interval) on pituitary mRNAs. TRH pulses induced a significant increase (49-56%) in PRL, alpha, and TSH beta mRNAs. Similarly, GnRH pulses stimulated a rise in alpha (64%) and FSH beta (50%) mRNAs, but not LH beta. The effects of pulsatile TRH or GnRH were eliminated when verapamil was added to the medium, suggesting that Ca2+ influx is critical to the stimulatory action of TRH or GnRH. The second experiment examined the effect of pulsatile vs. continuous increases in intracellular Ca2+ on pituitary mRNA expression. Pulsatile Ca2+ signals were produced by giving 60-min pulses of 50 mM KCl, Bay K 8644 (10 microM), or Bay K 8644 (10 microM; in the presence of 10 mM KCl in the injectate) and vehicle pulses to controls. Continuous increases in intracellular Ca2+ were induced by perifusion with medium containing the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 (20 microM), and these groups were compared to that receiving continuous verapamil. Pulsatile increases in Ca2+ influx (KCl or Bay K 8644) stimulated significant elevations in all mRNAs studied (36-74% increase vs. controls), with the exception of TSH beta. The magnitude of the mRNA responses to pulsatile Ca2+ (vs. controls) was similar to that observed after TRH and GnRH pulses. In contrast, only LH beta was increased by A23187 (42% increase vs. controls; P < 0.05). PRL and alpha mRNAs were selectively diminished by A23187 (57% and 83% decreases vs. controls, respectively; P < 0.05) and verapamil (67% and 60%; P < 0.05). The data show that expression of these pituitary genes is regulated by Ca2+ and that a pulsatile Ca2+ signal is required to stimulate PRL, alpha, and FSH beta (but not LH beta).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Application of 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to the analysis and structural investigation of tetracycline antibiotics and their common impurities

The spectral assignations of all the main resonances in the 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra in DMSO-d6 or D2O are presented and reviewed for ten of the principal tetracyclines in therapeutic use: tetracycline, chlortetracycline, 6-demethylchlortetracycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, methacycline, meclocycline, doxycycline, rolitetracycline and lymecycline. NMR techniques employed include: proton noise-decoupled spectra, off-resonance decoupled spectra, nuclear Overhauser enhancement and the INEPT technique (insensitive nuclei enhanced by polarization transfer). 13C NMR is also examined as a means of detecting and identifying the principal degradation and isomerization products of tetracycline antibiotics. The analytical potential of 13C NMR is discussed with respect to quantitative analysis of impurities, studies on sites of protonation and metal-binding studies.

Analysis of tetracycline antibiotics and their common impurities by high-performance liquid chromatography using a polymeric column

The chromatographic separation of tetracycline, oxytetracycline, 6-demethyl-chlortetracycline, methacycline and minocycline, and the common impurities of tetracycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline has been optimised on a Hamilton PRP-1 column using citrate-phosphate buffer with propan-2-ol and tetrahydrofuran as organic modifiers. Column efficiency was approximately doubled by the inclusion of 1% v/v dichloromethane in the mobile phase.

[Ectopic thyroid tissue after total thyroidectomy]

Ectopic thyroid gland tissue can occur either as the only detectable thyroid gland tissue or in addition to a normotopic thyroid gland. After a total thyroidectomy thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) can induce a compensatory volume increase of previously asymptomatic ectopic tissue. This hyperplastic ectopic tissue can occur as an unclear cervical space-occupying lesion. Prior to surgical exploration of an unclear cervical mass the possibility of ectopic thyroid tissue should be included in the differential diagnostic considerations.

Cardiomegaly: Navigating the uncharted territories of heart failure - A multimodal radiological journey through advanced imaging, pathophysiological landscapes, and innovative therapeutic frontiers

Cardiomegaly is among the disorders categorized by a structural enlargement of the heart by any of the situations including pregnancy, resulting in damage to heart muscles and causing trouble in normal heart functioning. Cardiomegaly can be defined in terms of dilatation with an enlarged heart and decreased left or biventricular contraction. The genetic origin of cardiomegaly is becoming more evident due to extensive genomic research opening up new avenues to ensure the use of precision medicine. Cardiomegaly is usually assessed by using an array of radiological modalities, including computed tomography (CT) scans, chest X-rays, and MRIs. These imaging techniques have provided an important opportunity for the physiology and anatomy of the heart. This review aims to highlight the complexity of cardiomegaly, highlighting the contribution of both ecological and genetic variables to its progression. Moreover, we further highlight the worth of precise clinical diagnosis, which comprises blood biomarkers and electrocardiograms (EKG ECG), demonstrating the significance of distinguishing between numerous basic causes. Finally, the analysis highlights the extensive variation of treatment lines, such as lifestyle modifications, prescription drugs, surgery, and implantable devices, although highlighting the critical need for individualized and personalized care.

Pancreatic regenerative potential of manuka honey evidenced through pancreatic histology and levels of transcription factors in diabetic rat model

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a commonly occurring metabolic disorder accompanied by high morbidity and alarming mortality. Besides various available therapies, induction of pancreatic regeneration has emerged as a promising strategy for alleviating the damaging effect of diabetes. Honey, a potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agent, has been reported in the literature archive to exhibit favourable results in the regeneration process of several organ systems.

Design

The current research work was intended to explore the potential role of manuka honey in pancreatic regeneration in alloxan-induced diabetic rats by accessing the pancreatic histology and levels of relevant transcription factors, including MAFA, PDX-1, INS-1, INS-2, NEUROG3, NKX6-1, and NEUROD. An equal number of rats were allocated to all four experimental groups: normal, negative control, positive control, and treatment group. Diabetes was induced in all groups except normal through a single intraperitoneal dose of alloxan monohydrate. No subsequent treatment was given to the negative control group, while the positive control and treatment groups were supplemented with metformin (150 mg/kg/day) and manuka honey (3 g/kg/day), respectively.

Results

Statistical comparison of glucose and insulin levels, oxidative stress indicators, changes in the architecture of pancreatic islets, and expression levels of regeneration-associated transcription factors advocated the potential role of manuka honey in ameliorating the alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress, and necrotic changes in islets along with significant upregulation of relevant transcription factors.

Conclusion

This suggests to us the auspicious role of antioxidants in honey in pancreatic regeneration and advocates the favourable role of manuka honey in combating diabetes mellitus.