Intravenous administration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes affects the formation of atherosclerosis in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have many potential applications, including as delivery systems for a variety of diagnostic or therapeutic agents. However, it has been suggested that exposure to carbon nano-materials may be a risk for the development of vascular diseases due to its impact on the vascular endothelium.

Materials And Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180-200 g) were used to generate an atherosclerosis (AS) model, and the effect of intravenous administration of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on AS was studied.

Immunoregulatory effects of ethyl-acetate fraction of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg on immune functions of ICR mice.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of ethyl-acetate fraction (EAF) of extracts from Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et. Gilg (TDG) on immune functions of ICR mice.

Methods: ICR mice were exposed to different doses of EAF for 15 or 30 days and then their immune functions were analyzed, including ConA-induced splenic lymphocyte transformation, SRBC-induced delayed type hypersensitivity response, serum hemolysin analysis, antibody-producing cells, peritoneal macrophage phagocytized chicken red blood cells, natural killer cell activity, and serum level of cytokines.

[Evaluation of interferon-gamma producing-cells using enzyme linked immunospot assay in mice model of acute graft versus host disease].

Objective: To investigate IFN-gamma producing-cells (IFN-gamma PCs) in allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) and acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) model of mice.

Methods: Enzyme linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT) was applied to study IFN-gamma PCs in MHC mismatched mice spleen cell MLR and aGVHD model of mice.

Result: IFN-gamma PCs increased significantly in MLR after allogeneic mice spleen cell stimulation.

Antimutagenicity of propolis against some mutagens in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: To evaluate the antimutagenicity of propolis in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 were used as a test model in vitro against a direct mutagen DMC and an indirect mutagen 2AF with or without S9 mix, and MN formation of mice bone marrow cell and CAs induction of mice testicle cell were applied as a test model in vivo against two mutagens CP and MMC.

Results: The present study clearly demonstrated that propolis could inhibit mutagenicity of both DMC and 2AF directly in a dose-dependent manner, and significant antimutagenic effects (P < 0.