Daily Intraperitoneal Administration of Rosiglitazone Does Not Improve Lung Function or Alveolarization in Preterm Rabbits Exposed to Hyperoxia.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are potent PPARγ agonists that have been shown to attenuate alveolar simplification after prolonged hyperoxia in term rodent models of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, the pulmonary outcomes of postnatal TZDs have not been investigated in preterm animal models. Here, we first investigated the PPARγ selectivity, epithelial permeability, and lung tissue binding of three types of TZDs in vitro (rosiglitazone (RGZ), pioglitazone, and DRF-2546), followed by an in vivo study in preterm rabbits exposed to hyperoxia (95% oxygen) to investigate the pharmacokinetics and the pulmonary outcomes of daily RGZ administration.

Calsequestrin, a key protein in striated muscle health and disease.

Calsequestrin (CASQ) is the most abundant Ca binding protein localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of skeletal and cardiac muscle. The genome of vertebrates contains two genes, CASQ1 and CASQ2. CASQ1 and CASQ2 have a high level of homology, but show specific patterns of expression.

The Non-Conventional Effects of Glucocorticoids in Cancer.

Synthetic corticosteroids are widely used for the treatment of a variety of diseases, including pre-malignant and malignant conditions. In striking contrast, recent evidence suggests that corticosteroids can bear tumor-promoting effects in solid tumors of epithelial origin. We have recently shown that epithelial tissues, including the mucosa of the oral cavity and the skin, are able to modulate the local concentration of active corticosteroids and to produce steroids de novo.