Proline Oxidase (POX) as A Target for Cancer Therapy

Proline dehydrogenase/proline oxidase (PRODH/POX) is an enzyme catalyzing the first step of proline degradation, during which ROS and/or ATP is generated. POX is widely distributed in living organisms and is responsible for a number of regulatory processes such as redox homeostasis, osmotic adaptation, cell signaling and oxidative stress. Recent data provided evidence that POX plays an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor growth. POX may induce apoptosis in both intrinsic and extrinsic way. Due to ROS generation, POX may induce caspase-9 activity, which mediates mitochondrial apoptosis (intrinsic apoptosis pathway). POX can also stimulate TRAIL (tumor necrosis factorrelated apoptosis inducing ligand) and DR5 (death receptor 5) expression, resulting in cleavage of procaspase-8 and thus extrinsic apoptotic pathway. However, this tumor suppressor in certain environmental conditions may act as a prosurvival factor. Genotoxic, inflammatory and metabolic stress may switch POX from tumor growth inhibiting to tumor growth supporting factor. The potential mechanisms which may regulate switching of POX mode are discussed in this review.

EFFECT OF SIMULTANEOUSLY SILICIFIED MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE AND PREGELATINIZED STARCH ON THE THEOPHYLLINE TABLETS STABILITY

High profitability and simplicity of direct compression, encourages pharmaceutical industry to create universal excipients to improve technology process. Prosolv® SMCC - silicified microcrystalline cellulose and Starch 1500® - pregelatinized starch, are the example of multifunctional excipients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability of theophylline (API) in the mixtures with excipients with various physico-chemical properties (Prosolv® SMCC 90, Prosolv® SMCC HD 90, Prosolv* SMCC 50®, Starch 1500® and magnesium stearate). The study presents results of thermal analysis of the mixtures with theophylline before and after 6 months storage of the tablets at various temperatures and relative humidity conditions (25 ± 2°C/40 ± 5% RH, 40 ± 2°C/75 ± 5% RH). It was shown that high concentration of Starch 1500® (49%) affects the stability of the theophylline tablets with Prosolv® SMCC. Prosolv® SMCC had no effect on API stability as confirmed by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Changes in peak placements were observed just after tabletting process, which might indicate that compression accelerated the incompatibilities between theophylline and Starch 1500. TGA analysis showed loss in tablets mass equal to water content in starch. GC-MS study established no chemical decomposition of theophylline. We demonstrated that high content of Starch 1500® (49%) in the tablet mass, affects stability on tablets containing theophylline and Prosolv® SMCC.

Thiamine antivitamins--an opportunity of therapy of fungal infections caused by Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans

Severe skin diseases and systemic fungaemia are caused by Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans respectively. Antifungal therapies are less effective because of chronic character of infections and high percentage of relapses. Therefore, there is a great need to develop new strategies of antifungal therapies. We previously found that oxythiamine decreases proliferation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), therefore we suggest that thiamine antivitamins can be considered as antifungal agents. The aim of this study was the comparison of thiamine antivitamins (oxythiamine, amprolium, thiochrome, tetrahydrothiamine and tetrahydrooxythiamine) inhibitory effect on the growth rate and energetic metabolism efficiency in non-pathogenic S. cerevisiae and two potentially pathogenic species M. pachydermatis and C. albicans. Investigated species were cultured on a Sabouraud medium supplemented with trace elements in the presence (40 mg l(-1)) or absence of each tested antivitamins to estimate their influence on growth rate, enzyme activity and kinetic parameters of pyruvate decarboxylase and malate dehydrogenase of each tested species. Oxythiamine was the only antivitamin with antifungal potential. M. pachydermatis and S. cerevisiae were the most sensitive, whereas C. albicans was the least sensitive to oxythiamine action. Oxythiamine can be considered as supportive agent in superficial mycoses treatment, especially those caused by species from the genus Malassezia.

Serum Bisphenol A Level in Boys with Cryptorchidism: A Step to Male Infertility?

Cryptorchidism is the most common congenital birth defect in boys and affects about 2-4% full-term male neonates. Its etiology is multifactorial. Purpose. To evaluate the serum bisphenol A (BPA) levels in boys with cryptorchidism and healthy boys and to assess the risk of environmental exposure to BPA using the authors' questionnaire. The data were acquired from a study on boys with cryptorchidism (n = 98) and a control group (n = 57). Prior to surgery, all patients had BPA serum levels evaluated. The size, position, rigidity of the testis, and abnormality of the epididymis of the undescended testis were assessed. Parents also completed a questionnaire on the risks of exposure to BPA in everyday life. Results. The testes in both groups were similar in size. The turgor of the undescended testis in the group of boys with cryptorchidism was decreased. Free serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The conjugated serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.05). Total serum BPA level in cryptorchid boys and in the control group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Serum total BPA level was related with a positive answer about problems with conception (p < 0.02). Conclusion. Our study indicated that high serum BPA was associated with cryptorchidism.

Application of differential scanning calorimetry in evaluation of solid state interactions in tablets containing acetaminophen

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is an analytical procedure used to determine the differences in the heat flow generated or absorbed by the sample. This method allows to assess purity and polymorphic form of drug compounds, to detect interactions between ingredients of solid dosage forms and to analyze stability of solid formulations. The aim of this study was the assessment of compatibility between acetaminophen (API) and different types of excipients often used in tablets compression: polyvinylpyrrolidone, crospovidone, pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose and magnesium stearate by differential scanning calorimetry. The study contains results of thermal analysis of excipients and individually performed mixtures of these substances with acetaminophen before and after compression and after 6 months storage of tablets at different temperature and relative humidity conditions (25 +/- 2 degrees C /40 +/- 5% RH, 25 +/- 2 degrees C /60 +/- 5% RH, 40 +/- 2 degrees C /75 +/- 5% RH) for a period of 6 months. To detect possible changes of API chemical structure, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was also applied. GC-MS with electron impact ionization (EI) was employed to determine the fragmentation pattern of API. It was shown that the developed formulations showed excellent compatibility among all excipients used except Kollidon CL. The interaction with Kollidon CL is probably a result of a physical reaction as confirmed by GC-MS analyses. Obtained results revealed that DSC can be successfully applied to evaluate possible incompatibilities between acetaminophen and Kollidon.

Fatty acid profile and influence of oxythiamine on fatty acid content in Malassezia pachydermatis, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Malassezia pachydermatis and Candida albicans are fungi involved in the skin diseases and systemic infections. The therapy of such infections is difficult due to relapses and problems with pathogen identification. In our study, we compare the fatty acids profile of M. pachydermatis, C. albicans and S. cerevisiae to identify diagnostic markers and to investigate the effect of oxythiamine (OT) on the lipid composition of these species. Total fatty acid content is threefold higher in C. albicans and M. pachydermatis compared with S. cerevisiae. These two species have also increased level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and decreased content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). We noted differences in the content of longer chain (>18) fatty acids between studied species (for example a lack of 20 : 1 in S. cerevisiae and 22 : 0 in M. pachydermatis and C. albicans). OT reduces total fatty acids content in M. pachydermatis by 50%. In S. cerevisiae, OT increased PUFA whereas it decreased MUFA content. In C. albicans, OT decreased PUFA and increased MUFA and SFA content. The results show that the MUFA to PUFA ratio and the fatty acid profile could be useful diagnostic tests to distinguish C. albicans, M. pachydermatis and S. cerevisiae, and OT affected the lipid metabolism of the investigated species, especially M. pachydermatis.

Gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric characterization of the organic acids extracted from some preparations containing lyophilized royal jelly

Thirty-five aliphatic acids were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the ether extract of commercial preparations containing lyophilized royal jelly. The article presents linear-programmed retention indices on capillary columns with non-polar and low-polar stationary phases and mass spectra for identified compounds which were not characterized earlier by these parameters. Nine compounds are reported for the first time as royal jelly constituents.

Gas chromatographic investigation of phenylpropenoid glycerides from aspen (Populus tremula L.) buds

20 phenylpropenoid glycerides were synthesized by esterification of glycerol by p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic acids. Main diagnostic ions in mass spectra and linear temperature programmed retention indices (LTPRI) of trimethylsilyl derivatives of these compounds were determined by GC/MS analysis. On the basis of these analytical parameters 39 in various degree substituted phenylpropenoid glycerides were for the first time identified in diethyl ether and ethyl acetate extracts from aspen buds.