Intracellular trafficking of a pH-responsive drug metal complex.

We previously developed a pH-responsive copper-doxorubicin (CuDox) cargo in lysolipid-based temperature-sensitive liposomes (LTSLs). The CuDox complex is released from the particle by elevated temperature; however, full release of doxorubicin from CuDox requires a reduced pH, such as that expected in lysosomes. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of the drug-metal complex in comparison with intact liposomes and free drug.

The effects of topical L-selenomethionine on protection against UVB-induced skin cancer when given before, during, and after UVB exposure.

Previous studies in mice have shown that topical L-selenomethionine (SeMet) can prevent UVB-induced skin cancer when applied continuously before, during, and after the radiation exposure. With topical application of SeMet, selenium levels were shown to increase in the skin and liver, as well as in tumor tissue. Thus, possibly, the timing of SeMet application could affect the degree of inhibition of UVB-tumorigenesis (or maybe even enhance tumorigenesis at some stage).

Cellular sequestration of cadmium in the hyperaccumulator plant species Sedum alfredii.

Spatial imaging of cadmium (Cd) in the hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii was investigated in vivo by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and x-ray microfluorescence imaging. Preferential Cd accumulation in the pith and cortex was observed in stems of the Cd hyperaccumulating ecotype (HE), whereas Cd was restricted to the vascular bundles in its contrasting nonhyperaccumulating ecotype. Cd concentrations of up to 15,000 μg g(-1) were measured in the pith cells, which was many fold higher than the concentrations in the stem epidermis and vascular bundles in the HE plants.

Diabetes and dietary copper alter 67Cu metabolism and oxidant defense in the rat.

Perturbations in copper (Cu) metabolism are a characteristic of diabetes, for example, elevated plasma Cu and compromised oxidant defense related to diabetes-induced effects on Cu-containing enzymes. Herein, the redistribution of Cu in selected tissues is described in response to diabetic and nondiabetic states in rats that were fed diets adequate in (12 mg Cu/kg of diet) or deficient in (no added Cu) Cu. Diabetes was induced by intravenous administration of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight).

Effects of topical and oral vitamin E on pigmentation and skin cancer induced by ultraviolet irradiation in Skh:2 hairless mice.

This study investigates whether supplementation with topical RRR-alpha-tocopherol (Eol), topical RRR-alpha-tocopheryl succinate, and oral RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate can reduce the incidence of acute and chronic damage to the skin (i.e., sunburn and pigmentation and skin cancer, respectively) induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation to mice.