The discovery of novel protein biomarkers in melanoma is crucial. Our introduction of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor protocol provides new opportunities to understand the progression of melanoma and open the possibility to screen thousands of FFPE samples deposited in tumor biobanks and available at hospital pathology departments. In our retrospective biobank pilot study, 90 FFPE samples from 77 patients were processed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActivation of NMDA receptors leads to nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by NO synthase (NOS) from L-arginine. Neuronal NOS colocalizes with somatostatinergic (SRIF) neurons and there is growing evidence of an interaction between NO and the cerebral SRIFergic system in several neurological diseases. Our aim was to study the effect of L-arginine on the regulation of the SRIFergic system in the frontoparietal cortex of male Sprague-Dawley rats.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMitochondria play central roles in diverse physiological and pathological conditions associated with cell survival and death. Delocalized lipophilic cations, such as dequalinium (DQA), are accumulated in cancer cells attracted by the highly negative mitochondrial transmembrane potential of these cells. DQA showed a potent anticancer activity in cells from different malignancies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFatty acid synthesis and oxidation are frequently exacerbated in leukemia cells, and may therefore represent a target for therapeutic intervention. In this work we analyzed the apoptotic and chemo-sensitizing action of the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir in human acute myeloid leukemia cells. Etomoxir caused negligible lethality at concentrations up to 100 µM, but efficaciously cooperated to cause apoptosis with the anti-leukemic agent arsenic trioxide (ATO, Trisenox), and with lower efficacy with other anti-tumour drugs (etoposide, cisplatin), in HL60 cells.
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