Central nervous system-infiltrated immune cells induce calcium increase in astrocytes via astroglial purinergic signaling.

Interaction between autoreactive immune cells and astroglia is an important part of the pathologic processes that fuel neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis. In this inflammatory disease, immune cells enter into the central nervous system (CNS) and they spread through CNS parenchyma, but the impact of these autoreactive immune cells on the activity pattern of astrocytes has not been defined. By exploiting naïve astrocytes in culture and CNS-infiltrated immune cells (CNS IICs) isolated from rat with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), here we demonstrate previously unrecognized properties of immune cell-astrocyte interaction.

Platinum(II/IV) complexes containing ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-2/3-propionate ester ligands induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant colon cancer cells.

Several new R(2)eddp (R = i-Pr, i-Bu; eddp = ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-3-propionate) esters and corresponding platinum(ii) and platinum(iv) complexes of the general formula [PtCl(n)(R(2)edda-type)] (n = 2, 4) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods (IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR) and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of platinum(iv) complex [PtCl(4){(c-Pe)(2)eddip}] (3a) was resolved and is given herein. Ligand precursors, platinum(ii), and platinum(iv) complexes were tested against eight tumor cell lines (CT26CL25, HTC116, SW620, PC3, LNCaP, U251, A375, and B16).

Multiple antimelanoma potential of dry olive leaf extract.

Various constituents of the olive tree (Olea europaea) have been traditionally used in the treatment of infection, inflammation, prevention of chronic diseases, cardiovascular disorders and cancer. The anticancer potential of dry olive leaf extract (DOLE) represents the net effect of multilevel interactions between different biologically active compounds from the extract, cancer cells and conventional therapy. In this context, it was of primary interest to evaluate the influence of DOLE on progression of the highly malignant, immuno- and chemoresistant type of skin cancer-melanoma.

Immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action of antioxidants in rat autoimmune diabetes.

Oxidative stress makes an important contribution to the development of autoimmune diabetes. We therefore tested the possible therapeutic value of two anti-oxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), in the animal model of diabetes induced in susceptible DA rats by multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-SZ, 20 mg/kg/day for 5 days). Administration of either BHA, or PDTC (50 mg/kg/day for 7 days), after finishing MLD-SZ injections, attenuated both the development of hyperglycemia and insulitis.