Permeation-enhancing effect of aloe-emodin anthrone on water-soluble and poorly permeable compounds in rat colonic mucosa.

The aims of this study were to examine the enhancing effects of aloe-emodin anthrone (AEA) on the colonic membrane permeability of water-soluble and poorly permeable compounds and to clarify the mechanism of the permeation-enhancing activity of AEA. The permeation-enhancing activity of AEA was estimated from changes in the permeability coefficient of 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) in rat colonic mucosa using a Ussing-type chamber. Various inhibitors were used to investigate the mechanism of action of AEA.

A new cholesterol derivative suitable for transfecting certain type of cells in the presence of 10% serum.

We developed a new cationic lipid suitable for use as a DNA carrier in the presence of 10% sera. The novel compound (abbreviated as Arg-Chol) contains cholesterol and a dipeptide consisting of glycine and sterically protected arginine. The efficiency of reporter gene transfection using liposomes based on this new reagent was compared with that of liposomes made with other cationic derivatives of cholesterol.

[The potentials for the surgical treatment of intrathoracic sarcoidosis complicated by chronic pleurisy].

Pleural exudate in sarcoidosis is a not infrequently occurring complication. The authors present a case of development of chronic pleuritis against the background of almost 2-year hormonal therapy of intrathoracic sarcoidosis. Progressing pulmonary-cardiac insufficiency warranted surgical intervention in the form of pleurectomy and lymphonodulectomy.