Decorporation of systemically distributed americium by a novel orally administered diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) formulation in beagle dogs.

Novel decorporation agents are being developed to protect against radiological accidents and terrorists attacks. Radioactive americium is a significant component of nuclear fallout. Removal of large radioactive materials, such as 241Am, from exposed persons is a subject of significant interest due to the hazards they pose.

Large intestine-targeted, nanoparticle-releasing oral vaccine to control genitorectal viral infection.

Both rectal and vaginal mucosal surfaces serve as transmission routes for pathogenic microorganisms. Vaccination through large intestinal mucosa, previously proven protective for both of these mucosal sites in animal studies, can be achieved successfully by direct intracolorectal (i.c.

Identification of stabilized dynorphin derivatives for suppressing tolerance in morphine-dependent rats.

Purpose: Modulatory actions on morphine-induced effects, such as tolerance and withdrawal, have been noted for dynorphin A(1-13) [Dyn A(1-13)] and similar peptides. These are currently of limited therapeutic potential due to extensive metabolism by human metabolic enzymes resulting in a half-life of less than 1 min in human plasma. The purpose of this study was to identify stabilized dynorphin A (Dyn A) derivatives, to determine their metabolic routes in human plasma, and to assess whether the pharmacodynamic activity is retained.

Cytoprotective role of taurine in a renal epithelial cell culture model.

Taurine (TAU) is a sulfur-containing amino acid that has been shown to decrease during aging and is believed to be important for cytoprotection. A decrease in TAU could exacerbate the accumulation of free radical-induced damage that may lead to cell death during the aging process. We have shown previously that TAU directly inhibits dopamine (DA) and (-)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine (L-dopa) oxidation.