Monoclonal antibody directed to the PilQ -PilA DSL region in Pseudomonas aeruginosa improves survival of infected mice with antibiotic combination.

The infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are related to high mortality and morbidity in critically ill patients because of multidrug resistance. Thus, we performed the efficacy of the monoclonal antibody (mAb) against PilQ -PilA DSL region (QA) in combination with antibiotics in a model of P. aeruginosa infection.

Melittin: from honeybees to superbugs.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, dubbed superbugs, together with relative stagnation in developing efficient antibiotics has led to enormous health and economic problems, necessitating the need for discovering and developing novel antimicrobial agents. In this respect, animal venoms represent a rich repertoire of pharmacologically active components. As a major component in the venom of European honeybee Apis mellifera, melittin has a great potential in medical applications.

A Recombinant Snake Cathelicidin Derivative Peptide: Antibiofilm Properties and Expression in .

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic microorganisms has been led to an urgent need for antibiotic alternatives. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been introduced as promising therapeutic agents because of their remarkable potentials. A new modified cathelicidin-BF peptide (Cath-A) with 34 amino acid sequences, represents the potential antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant (MRSA) with slight hemolytic and cytotoxic activities on eukaryotic cells.

The antimicrobial potential of a new derivative of cathelicidin from Bungarus fasciatus against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Cathelicidins are a family of antimicrobial peptides which exhibit broad antimicrobial activities against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Considering the progressive antibiotic resistance, cathelicidin is a candidate for use as an alternative approach to treat and overcome the challenge of antimicrobial resistance. Cathelicidin-BF (Cath-BF) is a short antimicrobial peptide, which was originally extracted from the venom of Bungarus fasciatus.

Altered Epigenetic Mechanisms in Thyroid Cancer Subtypes.

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the endocrine system. Molecular methods for diagnosis of invasive thyroid disease can be effectively adopted. Epigenetic factors play an important role in the diversity patterns of gene expression and the phenotypic and biological characteristics of TC subtypes.

Atorvastatin attenuates TNBS-induced rat colitis: the involvement of the TLR4/NF-kB signaling pathway.

Aim: The aim of the present study is to explore whether atorvastatin improves intestinal inflammation through the inhibition of the TLR4/NFkB signaling pathway in TNBS-induced rat colitis.

Methods: Acute colitis was induced by intra-rectal administration of 100 mg/kg TNBS dissolved in 0.25 ml of 50 % ethanol.

Effect of Blocking of Neuropeptide Y Y2 Receptor on Tumor Angiogenesis and Progression in Normal and Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6 Mice.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for some types of cancers. Angiogenesis is a necessary step in the multistage progression of tumors such as melanoma. Previous studies reported that neuropeptide Y (NPY) regulates angiogenesis by activating the Y2 receptor on endothelial cells.

The effects of low and high concentrations of luteolin on cultured human endothelial cells under normal and glucotoxic conditions: involvement of integrin-linked kinase and cyclooxygenase-2.

Luteolin protects against high glucose (HG)-induced endothelial dysfunction whereas its cytotoxicity has been reported against normal endothelial cells. This study was undertaken to determine luteolin cytoprotective and cytotoxic dose ranges and to elucidate their respective mechanisms. Luteolin prevented HG-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) death with an EC50 value of 2.

Effects of voluntary and treadmill exercise on spontaneous withdrawal signs, cognitive deficits and alterations in apoptosis-associated proteins in morphine-dependent rats.

Chronic exposure to morphine results in cognitive deficits and alterations of apoptotic proteins in favor of cell death in the hippocampus, a brain region critically involved in learning and memory. Physical activity has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain health. In the current work, we examined the effects of voluntary and treadmill exercise on spontaneous withdrawal signs, the associated cognitive defects, and changes of apoptotic proteins in morphine-dependent rats.

Antiangiogenic activity of xanthomicrol and calycopterin, two polymethoxylated hydroxyflavones in both in vitro and ex vivo models.

Our previous studies had shown xanthomicrol and calycopterin, two plant-derived flavonoids, to have selective antiproliferative activity against some malignant cell lines. The present study is focused on the investigation of antiangiogenic potential of these two flavonoids, using in vitro and ex vivo models. Xanthomicrol and calycopterin were found to have potent inhibitory effects on microvessel outgrowth in the rat aortic ring assay.

Effect of lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) on cerebral edema and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke.

Lavender belongs to the family Labiatae and has a variety of cosmetic uses as well as therapeutic purposes in herbal medicine. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of lavender oil against brain edema and its possible mechanisms in an experimental model of stroke. Under Laser-Doppler Flowmetry, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by the transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 1h in rats.

Voluntary exercise does not ameliorate spatial learning and memory deficits induced by chronic administration of nandrolone decanoate in rats.

Chronic exposure to the anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) nandrolone decanoate (ND) in supra-physiological doses is associated with learning and memory impairments. Given the well-known beneficial effects of voluntary exercise on cognitive functions, we examined whether voluntary exercise would improve the cognitive deficits induced by chronic administration of ND. We also investigated the effects of ND and voluntary exercise on hippocampal BDNF levels.

AT1 receptors activation enhances the expression of MMP-2, MMP-13 and VEGF but not MMP-9 in B16F10 melanoma cells.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers of all solid tumors. The effect of angiotensin II on expression of three Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in B16F10 melanoma cells was evaluated. Also the blocking effect of losartan on angiotensin II induced effects was assessed.

Voluntary exercise ameliorates cognitive deficits in morphine dependent rats: the role of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Chronic exposure to opiates impairs spatial learning and memory. Given the well-known beneficial effects of voluntary exercise on cognitive functions, we investigated whether voluntary exercise would ameliorate the cognitive deficits that are induced by morphine dependence. If an effect of exercise was observed, we aimed to investigate the possible role of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the exercise-induced enhancement of learning and memory in morphine-dependent rats.

Pentoxifylline attenuates TNF-α protein levels and brain edema following temporary focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Cerebral edema is the most common cause of neurological deterioration and mortality during acute ischemic stroke. Despite the clinical importance of cerebral ischemia, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent studies suggest a role for TNF-α in the brain edema formation.

Central beta-adrenergic receptors play an important role in the enhancing effect of voluntary exercise on learning and memory in rat.

The beneficial effects of physical activity and exercise on brain functions such as improvement in learning and memory are well documented. The aim of this study was to examine the role of the beta-adrenergic system in voluntary exercise-induced enhancement of learning and memory in rat. In order to block the beta-adrenergic receptors, the animals were received propranolol (a beta-blocker), or nadolol (a peripherally acting beta-blocker) before each night of five consecutive nights of exercise.

Antispasmodic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Thymus vulgaris on the guinea-pig ileum.

The effects of Thymus vulgaris hydroalcoholic extract on the contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum were investigated. Contraction changes in the terminal ileum of guinea pigs were monitored using a force displacement transducer amplifier connected to a physiograph. Thymus vulgaris extract inhibited the contractile responses in a dose-dependent manner and also decreased the amplitude of peristaltic waves.

Hippocampal angiotensin II receptors play an important role in mediating the effect of voluntary exercise on learning and memory in rat.

The beneficial effects of physical activity and exercise on brain functions such as improvement in learning and memory are well documented. The aim of this study was to examine the possible role of hippocampal angiotensin II receptors in voluntary exercise-induced enhancement of learning and memory in rat. In order to block the hippocampal angiotension II receptors, the animals received a single injection of latex microbeads for delivery of [Sar1 Thr8]-Angiotensin II into the hippocampus.

Antimotility effect of hydroalcoholic extract of yarrow (Achillea millefolium) on the guinea-pig ileum.

The use of medicinal herbs among the general population gives rise to the possibility of therapeutic or toxic effects in patients that use these plants. The effects of Achillea millefolium hydroalcoholic extract on the contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum were investigated. The effect of the Achillea millefolium extracts at five concentrations ranging form 0.

A non-radioactive method for angiotensin II receptor binding studies using the rat liver.

Introduction: A new non-radioactive method based on competitive ELISA has been developed for binding studies on angiotensin II (Ang II) receptors.

Method: Rat liver membrane was used as the source of angiotensin receptors and FITC-angiotensin II (FITC-Ang II) was used as the labeled ligand with an affinity similar to unlabeled Ang II. The effects of different concentrations of Ang II, losartan, CGP-42112A and saralasin were studied on FITC-Ang II binding.

Synthesis and antagonistic activity of four new 2-alkyl-N-biphenyl fused imidazoles on angiotensin II receptors.

In the current study, four new 2-alkyl-N-biphenyl fused imidazoles were synthesized and the pharmacological properties of these compounds as angiotensin II antagonists were studied. First, the potency of the synthesized compounds on guinea-pig ileum was evaluated and the vasopressor effect of the most potent compound 6a was compared with losartan on isolated perfused rat kidney. The antagonistic activity of compound 6a (sodium 2-propyl-5-carbomethoxy-1-[(biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]pyrrolo[3,2-d]imidazole-2'-carboxylate) on angiotensin II receptors was greater than the other synthesized compounds and in isolated perfused rat kidney was similar to losartan.