In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Infestation Deterrents Against Lice.

The human head louse is a cosmopolitan ectoparasite and frequently infests many people, particularly school-age children. Due to widespread pyrethroid resistance and the lack of efficient resistance management, there has been a considerable interest in the protection of uninfested people and prevention of reinfestation by disrupting lice transfer. In this study, two nonclinical model systems (in vitro and in vivo) were used to determine the efficacy of the infestation deterrents, Elimax lotion and Elimax shampoo, against human head lice or poultry chewing lice, respectively.

Development of a CCK1R-membrane nanoparticle as a fish-out tool for bioactive peptides.

The cholecystokinin receptor type 1 (CCK1R) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is involved in several biological processes including the regulation of the secretion of digestive enzymes. The peptide hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) binds to CCK1R, which is an important pharmacological target for several diseases, including obesity. Interestingly, nutritional dietary peptides also appear to activate CCK1R, and may play a role in CCK1R signaling in the gut.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory effects by plant phenolic compounds: a study of structure activity relationships.

In this study, 22 phenolic compounds were investigated to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). Tannic acid showed the highest activity (IC50 = 230 μM). The IC50 values obtained for phenolic acids and flavonoids ranged between 0.

Analogs of sulfakinin-related peptides demonstrate reduction in food intake in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, while putative antagonists increase consumption.

The insect sulfakinins (SKs) constitute a family of neuropeptides that display both structural and functional similarities to the mammalian hormones gastrin and cholecystokinin (CCK). As a multifunctional neuropeptide, SKs are involved in muscle contractions as well as food intake regulation in many insects. In the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum, the action on food intake by a series of synthetic SK analogs and one putative antagonist was investigated by injection in beetle adults.