Do chondroitin sulfates with different structures have different activities on chondrocytes and macrophages?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the activities of natural chondroitin sulfates (CS) with different structures on cultured chondrocytes and macrophages. CS were isolated from cartilages of bovine trachea (BT), porcine trachea (PT), chicken sternum (Ch) and skate (Sk). The preparations were 90-98% pure, with ∼1% proteins, nucleic acids and keratan sulfate contaminants.

Dilodendron bipinnatum Radlk. inhibits pro-inflammatory mediators through the induction of MKP-1 and the down-regulation of MAPKp38/JNK/NF-κB pathways and COX-2 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The stem bark of Dilodendron bipinnatum Radlk. (Sapindaceae), a tree native to Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil, popularly known as "mulher-pobre" (poor woman), has been historically used by the locals, after decoction and maceration, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. We have recently shown that these preparations indeed possess anti-inflammatory properties, which are mediated by the inhibition of cell migration and the modulation of Th1 and Th2 cytokines.

Torsion of a Communicating Hydrocele Presented as Acute Scrotum: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Torsion of a communicating hydrocele is extremely rare, and the cause is unclear. We report the case of a 3-year-old boy referred to us with acute scrotum. Operative findings revealed torsion of a communicating hydrocele with a 360-degree rotation of the distal end.

Pharmaceutical grade chondroitin sulfate: Structural analysis and identification of contaminants in different commercial preparations.

The aim of the present study was to characterize 16 pharmaceutical grade chondroitin sulfate (CS) samples, concerning the structure and presence of contaminants, in comparison to USP and analytical grade CS. Agarose gel electrophoresis has shown that only 5 samples were >90% CS, while 11 contained less than 15% CS. FACE (fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis) revealed that maltodextrin was the main contaminant in nine of them, and lactose in two.