Modeling the Effect of TNF-α upon Drug-Induced Toxicity in Human, Tissue-Engineered Myobundles.

A number of significant muscle diseases, such as cachexia, sarcopenia, systemic chronic inflammation, along with inflammatory myopathies share TNF-α-dominated inflammation in their pathogenesis. In addition, inflammatory episodes may increase susceptibility to drug toxicity. To assess the effect of TNF-α-induced inflammation on drug responses, we engineered 3D, human skeletal myobundles, chronically exposed them to TNF-α during maturation, and measured the combined response of TNF-α and the chemotherapeutic doxorubicin on muscle function.

Accelerated generation of free radicals by iron oxide nanoparticles in the presence of an alternating magnetic field.

The surfaces of iron oxide nanoparticles are capable of catalytically generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) through the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions. Fenton chemistry has been shown to be temperature dependent with an increase in activity up to 40 °C and then a decrease above this temperature as the hydrogen peroxide degrades into oxygen and water which limits the reaction. When exposed to an alternating magnetic field (AMF), iron oxide nanoparticles absorb the energy from the magnetic field and convert it into heat.