Preparation of sodium fluoride-loaded gelatin microspheres, characterization and cariostatic studies

Sodium fluoride-loaded gelatin microspheres (NaF-GMS) were prepared using double-phase emulsified condensation polymerization. The average diameter of microspheres was (11.33+/-5.56) microm. The drug content and encapsulation efficiency were 8.80% and 76.73%, respectively. The fluoride releasing profiles of NaF-GMS in physiological saline and artificial saliva (pH 4.5, pH 6.8) showed that NaF-GMS had a sustained-release property and fluoride release rate was increased in pH 4.5 artificial saliva. Experiments conducted in rabbits' oral cavity using NaF-GMS and NaF solution as control revealed NaF-GMS could maintain oral fluoride retention longer than NaF solution. Cariostatic abilities of NaF-GMS including demineralization prohibition in vitro, fluoride deposition in artificial dental plaque and the ability of targeting to cariogenic bacteria were investigated in artificial dental plaque. The results indicated NaF-GMS with lower fluoride concentrations could achieve equivalent cariostatic effect to the concentrated NaF solution, at the same time, could prolong fluoride retention in dental plaque. Microscopic observation showed that NaF-GMS carrying fusion protein of glucan-binding domain could adhere more bacteria than NaF-GMS and this might indicate the possibility of targeting to cariogenic bacteria when NaF-GMS were properly modified.

Induction of gadd45beta by NF-kappaB downregulates pro-apoptotic JNK signalling

In addition to coordinating immune and inflammatory responses, NF-kappaB/Rel transcription factors control cell survival. Normally, NF-kappaB dimers are sequestered in the cytoplasm by binding to inhibitory IkappaB proteins, and can be activated rapidly by signals that induce the sequential phosphorylation and proteolysis of IkappaBs. Activation of NF-kappaB antagonizes apoptosis or programmed cell death by numerous triggers, including the ligand engagement of 'death receptors' such as tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) receptor. The anti-apoptotic activity of NF-kappaB is also crucial to oncogenesis and to chemo- and radio-resistance in cancer. Cytoprotection by NF-kappaB involves the activation of pro-survival genes; however, its basis remains poorly understood. Here we report that NF-kappaB complexes downregulate the c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) cascade, thus establishing a link between the NF-kappaB and the JNK pathways. This link involves the transcriptional upregulation of gadd45beta/myd118 (ref. 4), which downregulates JNK signalling induced by the TNF receptor (TNF-R). This NF-kappaB-dependent inhibition of the JNK pathway is central to the control of cell death. Our findings define a protective mechanism that is mediated by NF-kappaB complexes and establish a role for the persistent activation of JNK in the apoptotic response to TNF-alpha.

[Preparation and evaluation of new ion-exchange chromatographic stationary phase for the use in high performance liquid chromatography]

A new method for the bonding of diethylamine(DEA) on the surface of silica to prepare novel hydrophilic packings for HPLC has been studied. After allyl glycidyl ether being synthesized, the Si-DEA anion-exchange bonded phase was prepared by the reaction of the double bond in allyl group with Si-H silica. The bonded phases obtained were characterized by elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform(DRIFT) spectroscopy and HPLC evaluation. The methods were used for both porous silica and monodisperse non-porous silica. The contents of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen of porous Si-DEA packing (MPS-DEA) were 3.31%, 0.95% and 1.34% respectively and those of monodisperse non-porous Si-DEA packing (NPS-DEA) were 2.55%, 0.97% and 0.96% respectively. The diethylamine absorption peak can be observed at 2970 cm-1 from the Si-DEA silica DRIFT spectrum. These data revealed that the diethylamine had been bonded on MPS-DEA and NPS-DEA packings. In HPLC tests, nucleotides and nucleosides such as cytosine, uracil, cytidine-5'-monophosphate, adenosine-5'-monophosphate, inosine-5'-monophosphate and guanosine-5'-monophosphate were satisfactorily separated on the porous anion-exchange packing (MPS-DEA), and a group of proteins (lysozyme, ribonuclease, ovalbumin, bovine serum albumin, insulin and gamma-globulin) were separated within 15 minutes successfuly. All test results indicated that the new method for preparing better anion-exchange silica packings is effective for both porous silica and monodiperse non-porous silica.

[Cibacron blue F3GA-attached 2 microns non-porous monodisperse silicas for affinity chromatography]

Non-porous monodisperse silica (NPS), 2 microns in diameter, was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane for immobilization of Cibacron Blue F3GA (CB), a packing of NPS-ACB for affinity chromatography was obtained. Up to 2 mg of CB could be attached to 1 mL of NPS beads. There was no obvious leakage of dye from NPS-ACB. Oval was not retained by the column, while Lys was specifically adsorbed. The adsorption of Lys varied with pH values and ionic strengths. In addition, alpha-globulin could not be retained by the packing, while beta- and gamma-globulin could be adsorbed on the column. gamma-Globulin was able to be eluted by 20% 1,6-hexanediol and 1 mol/L KCl, while beta-globulin was not able to be eluted by the same eluent. The difference in affinity interaction could be used to separate the three globulins. Furthermore, the column could be used for separation and preparation of Lys from hen egg white. The chromatograms of Lys on non-porous silica diethylamine column (NPS-DEA) showed that retention time of one peak of the crude Lys prepared was in accordance with Lys's, so it could be said that NPS-ACB column can be used for preparation in a small scale.

Selective peptide antagonist of the class E calcium channel from the venom of the tarantula Hysterocrates gigas

We describe the first potent and selective blocker of the class E Ca2+channel. SNX-482, a novel 41 amino acid peptide present in the venom of the African tarantula, Hysterocrates gigas, was identified through its ability to inhibit human class E Ca2+ channels stably expressed in a mammalian cell line. An IC50 of 15-30 nM was obtained for block of the class E Ca2+ channel, using either patch clamp electrophysiology or K+-evoked Ca2+ flux. At low nanomolar concentrations, SNX-482 also blocked a native resistant or R-type Ca2+ current in rat neurohypophyseal nerve terminals, but concentrations of 200-500 nM had no effect on R-type Ca2+ currents in several types of rat central neurons. The peptide has the sequence GVDKAGCRYMFGGCSVNDDCCPRLGCHSLFSYCAWDLTFSD-OH and is homologous to the spider peptides grammatoxin S1A and hanatoxin, both peptides with very different ion channel blocking selectivities. No effect of SNX-482 was observed on the following ion channel activities: Na+ or K+ currents in several cultured cell types (up to 500 nM); K+ current through cloned potassium channels Kv1.1 and Kv1. 4 expressed in Xenopus oocytes (up to 140 nM); Ca2+ flux through L- and T-type Ca2+ channels in an anterior pituitary cell line (GH3, up to 500 nM); and Ba2+ current through class A Ca2+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes (up to 280 nM). A weak effect was noted on Ca2+ current through cloned and stably expressed class B Ca2+ channels (IC50 > 500 nM). The unique selectivity of SNX-482 suggests its usefulness in studying the diversity, function, and pharmacology of class E and/or R-type Ca2+ channels.

[Determination of the active flavonoids in silymarine]

The active flavonoids in silymarine extract prominently consist of silychristin, silydianin, silybin (A and B) and isosilybin (A and B). Among these active flavonoids, silybin is the most important one. It is often used to treat liver disorders. An HPLC method for determining thg active flavonoids is described in this paper. The components in the extract can be separated by using a reversed-phase system with a C18 column, eluted with methanol and phosphate buffer under gradient conditions, and detected at 280 nm. In comparing with the method of derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and detection with UV spectrometry which can only determine the total active flavonoids. The HPLC method not only can separate taxifolin from the flavolignans but also permit individual estimations of silychristin, silydianin, silybin and isosilybin. It has better repeatability. The relative standard deviation is below 2%(n = 5). It can be used for quality control of the crude extracts and the pharmaceutical preparations.

The effect of neferine on foam cell formation by anti-low density lipoprotein oxidation

Oxidatively modified low density lipoprtein (LDL) plays an important role in atheroslerosis (AS) development. To investigate the role of neferine (Nef) in anti-LDL oxidation and foam cell formation, the lipoprotein was derived and subjected to three different treatments: N-LDL (normal LDL), Cu2+ + LDL and Cu2+ + Nef + LDL. The LDLs were put at 25 degrees C for 24 h and the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values were determined. They were 0.57 +/- 0.2, 6.01 +/- 0.22 and 2.26 +/- 0.13 nmol/mg protein, respectively. The difference was very significant (P < 0.01) for each two groups by t test. Mouse peritoneal macrophage (M phi) were exposed to 50 micrograms protein/ml of Cu2+ + LDL and Cu2+ + Nef + LDL at 37 degrees C for 60 h. The tryglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) content in M phi were assayed. The results showed that Cu2+ + LDL was more efficient than Cu2+ + Nef + LDL in stimulating lipid accumulation in M phi (P < 0.001). The study demonstrated that Nef could inhibit Cu(2+)-mediated LDL oxidation and thereby inhibiting macrophage-derived foam cell formation.

[Preparation and evaluation of stationary phase of high performance liquid chromatography for the separation of basic solutes]

A bonded phase for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has been prepared by the new reaction between silica and silicon ether. The ether was synthesized from alkylchlorosilane and pentane-2,4-dione in the presence of imidazole under inert conditions by using anhydrous tetrahydrofuran as solvent. The bonded phase thus obtained was characterized by elemental analysis, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and HPLC evaluation. The carbon content was 9.4% and the surface coverage almost attained 3.0micromol/m2 without end-capping. The silanol absorption peaks of the product cannot be observed from the DRIFT spectrum, which revealed that the silanization reaction proceeded thoroughly. The basic solutes, such as aniline, o-toluidine, p-toluidine, N,N-dimethylaniline and pyridine were used as the probe solutes to examine their interaction with the residual silanols on the surface of the products. No buffer or salt was used in the mobile phase for these experiments. In comparison with an acidic solute, such as, phenol, basic aniline eluted in front of phenol, and the ratio of asymmetry of aniline peak to that of the phenol peak was 1.1. Furthermore the relative k' value of p-toluidine to that of o-toluidine was also 1.1. All the results showed that the stationary phase has better quality and reproducibility and can be used for the separation of basic solutes efficiently.

Regulation of ApoE gene expression in mouse peritoneal macrophages by VLDL

Mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPM) were incubated with ApoE-poor VLDL or ApoE-rich VLDL at same concentrations for 24 h. The ApoE mRNA content increased in both groups than that in control and the highest ApoE mRNA content was seen in MPM incubated with ApoE-poor VLDL. The results suggest that VLDL could stimulate ApoE gene expression in MPM and the ApoE-poor VLDL has more pronounced effect. We think that the ApoE secreted by MPM may be incorporated into VLDL, especially the ApoE-poor VLDL, and thereby enhance the uptake of those lipoproteins by MPM or other local cells via ApoE-mediated receptor pathways.

SNX-325, a novel calcium antagonist from the spider Segestria florentina

A novel selective calcium channel antagonist peptide, SNX-325, has been isolated from the venom of the spider Segestria florentina. The peptide was isolated using as bioassays the displacement of radioiodinated omega-conopeptide SNX-230 (MVIIC) from rat brain synaptosomal membranes, as well as the inhibition of the barium current through cloned expressed calcium channels in oocytes. The primary sequence of SNX-325 is GSCIESGKSCTHSRSMKNGLCCPKSRCNCRQIQHRHDYLGKRKYSCRCS, which is a novel amino acid sequence. Solid-phase synthesis resulted in a peptide that is chromatographically identical with the native peptide and which has the same configuration of cysteine residues as the spider venom peptide omega-Aga-IVa [Mintz, I. M., et al., (1992) Nature 355, 827-829]. At micromolar concentrations, SNX-325 is an inhibitor of most calcium, but not sodium or potassium, currents. At nanomolar concentrations, SNX-325 is a selective blocker of the cloned expressed class B (N-type), but not class C (cardiac L), A, or E, calcium channels. SNX-325 is approximately equipotent with the N-channel selective omega-conopeptides (GVIA and MVIIA as well as closely related synthetic derivatives) in blocking the potassium induced release of tritiated norepinephrine from hippocampal slices (IC50s, 0.1-0.5 nM) and in blocking the barium current through cloned expressed N-channels in oocytes (IC50s 3-30 nM). By contrast, SNX-325 is 4-5 orders of magnitude less potent than is SNX-111 (synthetic MVIIA) at displacing radioiodinated SNX-111 from rat brain synaptosomal membranes. SNX-325 will be a useful comparative tool in further defining the function and pharmacology of the N- and possibly other types of high-voltage activated calcium channels.