Differential Protective Effect of Zinc and Magnesium for the Hepatic and Renal Toxicity Induced by Acetaminophen and Potentiated with Ciprofloxacin in Rats.

: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence induced by magnesium chloride (MgCl) and zinc gluconate (ZnG) supplementation on liver and kidney injuries experimentally induced with acetaminophen (AAPh) and potentiated by a ciprofloxacin addition in rats. : The experiment was performed on five animal groups: group 1-control, treated for 6 weeks with normal saline, 1 mL/kg; group 2-AAPh, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh, 100 mg/kg/day; group 3-AAPh + C, treated for 6 weeks with AAPh 100 mg/kg/day and ciprofloxacin 50 mg/kg/day, only in the last 14 days of the experiment; group 4-AAPh + C + Mg, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, MgCl 10 mg/ kg/day was added; and group 5-AAPh + C + Zn, with the same treatment as group 3, but in the last 14 days, zinc gluconate (ZnG), 10 mg/kg/day was added. All administrations were performed by oral gavage.

New ibuprofen derivatives with thiazolidine-4-one scaffold with improved pharmaco-toxicological profile.

Background: Aryl-propionic acid derivatives with ibuprofen as representative drug are very important for therapy, being recommended especially for anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. On other hand 1,3-thiazolidine-4-one scaffold is an important heterocycle, which is associated with different biological effects such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antioxidant, antiviral, antiproliferative, antimicrobial etc. The present study aimed to evaluated the toxicity degree and the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of new 1,3-thiazolidine-4-one derivatives of ibuprofen.

Improvement in serum lipids and liver morphology after supplementation of the diet with fish oil is more evident under regular feeding conditions than under high-fat or mixed diets in rats.

Background: Dietary n polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have a role in preventing cardiovascular and hepatic diseases. However, their effects might differ significantly depending on individual dietary patterns. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids (FA), administered in different schedules, on hepatic and aortic histological structure, lipid profile, and body weight (BW) in male Wistar rats under standard (SD), high-fat diet (HFD) and mixed feeding conditions.

New Alginate/PNIPAAm Matrices for Drug Delivery.

This paper deals with a comparative study on the interpolymeric complexes of alginate poly(-isopropyl acryl amide (PNIPAAm) and corresponding graft copolymers with various compositions in respect to their toxicity, biocompatibility and in vitro and in vivo release of theophylline (THP). Loading of the various matrices with theophylline and characterization of loaded matrices was studied by near infrared spectroscopy⁻chemical imaging (NIR⁻CI) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It was appreciated that THP loading is higher than 40% and the drug is relatively homogeneous distributed within all matrices because of some specific interactions between components of the system.

The safety profile of new antidiabetic xanthine derivatives and their chitosan based formulations.

The safety profile of new antidiabetic xanthine derivatives with thiazolidine‑4‑one scaffold (6, 7) and their new chitosan based formulations (CS-6, CS-7), administrated to diabetic rats, have been evaluated in terms of biochemical markers of liver and kidney function as well as of hematological markers. The effect on lipid profile and clinic parameters (body weight, food and water intake) has been also evaluated. The treatment of diabetic rats with xanthine derivatives (6, 7) and chitosan based formulations (CS-6, CS-7) was associated with lower liver enzymes (AST, ALT, LDH) and bilirubin (direct, total) values compared to the non-treated diabetic rats, that means the tested derivatives/formulations have improved the liver function injured in diabetes mellitus conditions.

Inhibition of bcl-2 and cox-2 Protein Expression after Local Application of a New Carmustine-Loaded Clinoptilolite-Based Delivery System in a Chemically Induced Skin Cancer Model in Mice.

Our research has focused on in vitro and in vivo evaluations of a new Carmustine (BCNU)-loaded clinoptilolite-based delivery system. Two clinoptilolite ionic forms-hydrogen form (HCLI) and sodium form (NaCLI)-were prepared, allowing a loading degree of about 5-6 mg BCNU/g of zeolite matrix due to the dual porous feature of clinoptilolite. Clinoptilolite-based delivery systems released 35.

Awareness about antibiotic resistance in a self-medication user group from Eastern Romania: a pilot study.

Background: Awareness about antibiotic resistance depends on the attitudes and information about antibiotic resistance of both patients and physicians. Persons who practice self-medication are at high risk of also self-medicating with antibiotics. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the awareness about antibiotic resistance by investigating the practice in a group of self-medication users in a sample of adults in Romania and the variables associated with such practice.

Toxicity, Biocompatibility, pH-Responsiveness and Methotrexate Release from PVA/Hyaluronic Acid Cryogels for Psoriasis Therapy.

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hyaluronic acid cryogels loaded with methotrexate were studied. The physical⁻chemical characterization of cryogels was performed by FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Acute toxicity and haematological parameters were determined by "in vivo" tests.

Experimental Research Showing the Reduction of Naloxone-Place Aversion by Oral Zinc Administration in Rats.

Previous studies showed the attenuation of both morphine-dependence and morphine-place preference by zinc. Conditioned place preference and aversion are experimental models frequently used to test the reward-stimulating, respectively the aversive effects induced by different stimuli or substances. Addictive substances usually induce place preference (exhibit reward-stimulating properties), while their antagonists determine place-avoidance (aversion).

New Nitric Oxide Donors With Therapeutic Potential.

Nitric oxide (NO), formerly known as the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, is a mediator with a key role in the body, both in the central nervous system and in periphery. NO is synthesized by several cell types, where it acts as an autocrine and paracrine signaling molecule. Harnessing the impressive therapeutic potential of nitric oxide (NO) remains an ongoing challenge.

No definitive evidence for a connection between autoimmune thyroid diseases and stress in women.

The purpose of this literature review was to examine the available clinical studies performed during the last 15 years to identify if there is a causal relationship between the onset and course of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis/sympathetic-adrenomedullary system (SAM) (dys)function in women. Using the PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, a comprehensive search was performed, and 14 articles were finally identified. The majority of selected studies suggested a causal connection between Graves' Disease (GD) and stress, as well as between Hashimoto Thyroiditis (HT), with its variant postpartum thyroiditis, and stress.

NEW CLASS OF DRUGS: THERAPEUTIC RNAi INHIBITION OF PCSK9 AS A SPECIFIC LDL-C LOWERING THERAPY.

Hyperlipidemia is a well-known risk factor for coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women. Current lipid-lowering treatment is not always efficient, therefore new pharmacological interventions that reduce LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) have been developed. This paper presents new class of specific LDL lipid-lowering drugs under investigation in phase II or III clinical trials.

Imbalance in the diurnal salivary testosterone/cortisol ratio in men with severe obstructive sleep apnea: an observational study.

Introduction: The complex relationship between sleep disorders and hormones could lead to alterations in the production of cortisol and testosterone in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the diurnal trajectories of salivary free-testosterone, free-cortisol and their ratio (T/C).

Methods: Ten subjects newly diagnosed with OSA, based on nocturnal polysomnography evaluation and excessive daytime sleepiness, and seven matched controls were consecutively recruited.

Zinc involvement in opioid addiction and analgesia--should zinc supplementation be recommended for opioid-treated persons?

Introduction: Zinc chelators were shown to facilitate some opioid-withdrawal signs in animals. Zinc deficiency, which affects more than 15% the world's population, is also common among opioid consumers and opioid-treated animals exhibit misbalances of zinc distribution.

Aim: The present study focuses on how zinc ions interfere with opioid dependence/addiction and analgesia, trying to preliminary discuss if zinc supplementation in opioid-users should be recommended in order to reduce the risk of addiction.

Development, optimization and biological evaluation of chitosan scaffold formulations of new xanthine derivatives for treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus.

New xanthine derivatives as antidiabetic agents were synthesized and new chitosan formulations have been developed in order to improve their biological and pharmacokinetic profile. Their physicochemical properties in terms of particle size, morphology, swelling degree, crystalline state, the loading efficiency as well as in vitro release and biodegradation rate were evaluated. According to the results the optimized formulations have a high drug loading efficiency (more than 70%), small particle size, a good release profile in the simulated biological fluids (the percentage of cumulative release being more than 55%) and improved biodegradation rate in reference with chitosan microparticles.

Imidazoline receptor antagonists idazoxan and efaroxan enhance locomotor functions in rats.

Unlabelled: Discovered in 1984, imidazoline receptors (I1, I2, I3) are located centrally and peripherally being involved in various physiologic and pathophysiologic processes in the body. Experimental and clinical investigations have suggested the interrelations between imidazoline, adrenergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic and opioid systems, which may explain the influence of different substances acting on imidazoline receptors in cognitive disorders, behavioral disturbances and motor diseases pathways.

Aim: To investigate the effects of two imidazoline receptor antagonists on locomotor activity and endurance capacity in rats.

The effects of pregabalin on psycho-motor abilities and cognitive processes in mice.

Unlabelled: The purpose of our study was the experimental research on the effects of pregabalin in two behavioural models in mice.

Material And Methods: The experiment was carried out with white Swiss mice treated intraperitoneally as follows: Group I (Control): distilled water 0.1 ml/10 g body weight; Group II (PGB 10): 10 mg/kbw pregabalin; Group III (PGB 20): 20 mg/kbw pregabalin.

Effects of two serotoninergic agents on the behavioral manifestations in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effects of two serotonin receptor antagonists on spontaneous behavior in rats.

Material And Method: The experiment was carried out on white male Wistar rats (150-200g) divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each, treated intraperitoneally with the same volume of solution as follows: Group I (Control): saline solution 0.1 ml/10 g weight; Group II (SB-269970): SB-269970 1 mg/kbw; Group III (NAN-190): NAN-190 1 mg/kbw.

The effects of magnesium nanovesicle formulations on spatial memory performance in mice.

Aim: The study investigates the effects of magnesium nanovesicles on the memory processes performance in mice.

Materials And Methods: L-a-phosphatidylcholine was used to obtain nano formulations as lipid vesicles systems stabilized thereafter with chitosan. The experiment was carried out on white Swiss mice, divided into 3 groups of 7 animals each, treated orally 7 consecutive days: Group I (Control): 0.

Synergic effects of pregabalin-acetaminophen combination in somatic and visceral nociceptive reactivity.

Background/aims: The present study investigates the effects of pregabalin (PGB), acetaminophen (ACET) and tenoxicam (TNX) administration in somatic and visceral nociception, using the tail flick test and the writhing test in mice.

Methods: In the tail flick test, the substances were administered orally and the latency time response was recorded 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after administration. In the writhing test, pain responses were scored every 5 min during a 30-min period after intraperitoneal injection of diluted acetic acid.

Self-medication with antimicrobial drugs among university students in a Northeast region of Romania.

Unlabelled: Self-medication with antimicrobial drugs is an important problem in the world and may lead to serious consequences for healthcare systems.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and patterns of self-medication with antimicrobial drugs among university students in a Northeast region of Romania.

Material And Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted to collect data from medical and non-medical students who lived in residence halls.

The effects of two polymeric matrices for indomethacin in cutaneous nociceptive reactivity in mice.

Aim: This paper is focused on the investigation the effects of two polymeric matrices for indomethacin in cutaneous pain models in mice. There were used two different co-polymers polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and undecan, polymerization reactions being conducted under nitrogen, at 80 degrees C.

Material And Methods: The experiments were carried out on white Swiss mice (20-25 g), divided into 6 groups of 7 animals each, treated orally.

Effects of some dopamine agents on modulation of memory processes performance in rats.

Unlabelled: Apomorphine is a potent dopamine receptor agonist which has been used as a neuro-protective agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. SCH-23390 is a synthetic compound that presents selective D1 dopamine receptors antagonist activity and possesses pharmacologic effects similar to standard antipsychotics.

Aim: Experimental researches on the effects of two substances acting on dopamine receptors on the cognitive processes in rats.

Restoring the salivary cortisol awakening response through nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy in obstructive sleep apnea.

Partial and largely conflicting data are currently available on the interplay between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity in adult obese men. This study was performed to evaluate the daily trajectories of salivary cortisol, specifically with respect to the salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR), a common method used to assess HPA axis activity. The main findings of this study were that adult male obese subjects who were newly diagnosed with severe OSA showed the following: (1) a flattening of the CAR; (2) levels of cortisol at awakening that were lower than those of the controls; and (3) maintenance of the physiological circadian activity of the HPA axis, with the highest hormone concentrations produced in the morning and the lowest in the evening.

The relevance of circadian rhythms disruption on pulmonary SOD expression in rat.

The light-dark cycle represents a significant component of the circadian system in most mammals. Any disturbance of this cycle is reflected in a large number of changes in the physiological and also behavioral status of the organism, together with considerable alterations of the redox balance. Increasing evidence suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) have their own function in the circadian system.