Effects of a proprietary mixture of extracts from fruits and roots (WS 1541) on prostate hyperplasia and inflammation in rats and human cells.

Phytotherapeutics, particularly extracts from (saw palmetto) fruit or (stinging nettle) root, are popular for the treatment of male lower urinary symptoms in many countries, but their mechanism of action is poorly understood. We performed and studies to obtain deeper insight into the mechanism of action of WS 1541, a proprietary combination of a fruit and an root extract (WS 1473 and WS 1031, respectively) and its components. We used the sulpiride model of benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats and tested three doses of WS 1541 in comparison to finasteride, evaluating weight of prostate and its individual lobes as well as aspects of inflammation, oxidative stress, growth and hyperplasia.

A new tumorgraft panel to accelerate precision medicine in prostate cancer.

Background: Despite the significant advances in the management of advanced prostate cancer (PCa), metastatic PCa is currently considered incurable. For further investigations in precision treatment, the development of preclinical models representing the complex prostate tumor heterogeneity are mandatory. Accordingly, we aimed to establish a resource of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models that exemplify each phase of this multistage disease for accurate and rapid evaluation of candidate therapies.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors Prevent Glucose-Dependent Energy Production, Proliferation and Migration of Bladder Carcinoma Cells.

Bladder cancer is the 10th most common cancer in the world and has a high risk of recurrence and metastasis. In order to sustain high energetic needs, cancer cells undergo complex metabolic adaptations, such as a switch toward aerobic glycolysis, that can be exploited therapeutically. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as key regulators of cancer metabolic reprogramming and tumorigenesis, but the sources of ROS remain unidentified.

Integrated molecular and pharmacological characterization of patient-derived xenografts from bladder and ureteral cancers identifies new potential therapies.

Background: Muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) are molecularly heterogeneous. Despite chemotherapies, immunotherapies, or anti-fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) treatments, these tumors are still of a poor outcome. Our objective was to develop a bank of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) recapitulating the molecular heterogeneity of MIBC and UTUC, to facilitate the preclinical identification of therapies.

Experimental in vivo model to evaluate the impact of Cernitin™ on pain response on induced chronic bladder inflammation.

Objective: Inflammation of the urinary bladder may cause burdensome pain also called bladder pain syndrome (BPS). A limitation in understanding BPS pathophysiology is the lack of appropriate preclinical model. Previously published clinical and preclinical studies revealed positive impact of Cernitin™ on pain relief in chronic prostatitis.

Pain Management in a Model of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome by a Vaccinal Strategy.

Current analgesic treatments for Interstitial CystitisBladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) are limited. Here, we propose a novel antinociceptive strategy exploiting the opioid-mediated analgesic properties of T lymphocytes to relieve from bladder pain. In a chronic model of IC/BPS in rats, we show that a secondary T cell response against intravesically administered ovalbumin prevents from visceral pain in OVA-primed animals.

Characterization and Validation of a Chronic Model of Cyclophosphamide-Induced Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome in Rats.

Interstitial cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by visceral pain and voiding symptoms. IC/BPS is still an unsolved enigma with ineffective diagnosis criteria and treatment. A main limitation in IC/BPS understanding is the lack of appropriate preclinical model.

Characterization of Human Colon Organoids From Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders, where epithelial defects drive, at least in part, some of the pathology. We reconstituted human intestinal epithelial organ, by using three-dimension culture of human colon organoids. Our aim was to characterize morphological and functional phenotypes of control (non-IBD) organoids, compared to inflamed organoids from IBD patients.

FAK alternative splice mRNA variants expression pattern in colorectal cancer.

The Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a ubiquitous cytoplasmic tyrosine-kinase promoting tumor progression and metastasis processes by acting in cancer cells and their tumor microenvironment partners. FAK overexpression in primary colon tumors and their metastasis is associated to poor colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' outcome. Eight FAK mRNA alternative splice variants have been described and contribute to additional level of FAK activity regulation, some of them corresponding to overactivated FAK isoforms.

Novel K7 ion channel openers for the treatment of epilepsy and implications for detrusor tissue contraction.

Neuronal voltage-gated potassium channels, K7s, are the molecular mediators of the M current and regulate membrane excitability in the central and peripheral neuronal systems. Herein, we report novel small molecule K7 openers that demonstrate anti-seizure activities in electroshock and pentylenetetrazol-induced seizure models without influencing Rotarod readouts in mice. The anti-seizure activity was determined to be proportional to the unbound concentration in the brain.

Thrombin modifies growth, proliferation and apoptosis of human colon organoids: a protease-activated receptor 1- and protease-activated receptor 4-dependent mechanism.

Background And Purpose: Thrombin is massively released upon tissue damage associated with bleeding or chronic inflammation. The effects of this thrombin on tissue regrowth and repair has been scarcely addressed and only in cancer cell lines. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to determine thrombin's pharmacological effects on human intestinal epithelium growth, proliferation and apoptosis, using three-dimensional cultures of human colon organoids.

OBE022, an Oral and Selective Prostaglandin F Receptor Antagonist as an Effective and Safe Modality for the Treatment of Preterm Labor.

Preterm birth is the major challenge in obstetrics, affecting ∼10% of pregnancies. Pan-prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)] prevent preterm labor and prolong pregnancy but raise concerns about fetal renal and cardiovascular safety. We conducted preclinical studies examining the tocolytic effect and fetal safety of the oral prodrug candidate OBE022 [()-2-amino-3-methyl-butyric acid ()-3-{[(S)-3-(biphenyl-4-sulfonyl)-thiazolidine-2-carbonyl]-amino}-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-propyl ester] and its parent OBE002 [()-3-(biphenyl-4-sulfonyl)-thiazolidine-2-carboxylic acid [(S)-1-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-3-hydroxy-propyl]-amide], both potent and highly selective antagonist of the contractile prostaglandin F (PGF ) receptor (FP).

Mobilization of CD4+ T lymphocytes in inflamed mucosa reduces pain in colitis mice: toward a vaccinal strategy to alleviate inflammatory visceral pain.

T lymphocytes play a pivotal role in endogenous regulation of inflammatory visceral pain. The analgesic activity of T lymphocytes is dependent on their production of opioids, a property acquired on antigen activation. Accordingly, we investigated whether an active recruitment of T lymphocytes within inflamed colon mucosa via a local vaccinal strategy may counteract inflammation-induced visceral pain in mice.

Ketanserin and Naftopidil Enhance the Potentiating Effect of Alpha-Methyl-Serotonin on the Neurally-Induced Contraction of Human Isolated Urinary Bladder Muscle Strips.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the potential involvement of a specific subtype of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 5HT receptors in neurally-induced contractions of the human detrusor.

Methods: Contractile responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS) were examined in human isolated urinary bladder muscle strips. The potentiation of EFS-induced detrusor contraction was examined by adding cumulative concentrations of a 5-HT and 5-HT receptor agonist, α-methyl-serotonin (α-Me-5-HT) (1nM-100μM) in the presence or absence of a 5-HT antagonist, ketanserin (5-HT>5-HT) or naftopidil (5-HT>5-HT) (0.

Netupitant, a Potent and Highly Selective NK1 Receptor Antagonist, Alleviates Acetic Acid-Induced Bladder Overactivity in Anesthetized Guinea-Pigs.

Introduction. Tachykinins potently contract the isolated urinary bladder from a number of animal species and play an important role in the regulation of the micturition reflex. On the guinea-pig isolated urinary bladder we examined the effects of a new potent and selective NK1 receptor antagonist (netupitant) on the contractions induced by a selective NK1 receptor agonist, SP-methylester (SP-OMe).

Modulation of nerve-evoked contractions by β3-adrenoceptor agonism in human and rat isolated urinary bladder.

Activation of β3-adrenoceptors has been shown to have a direct relaxant effect on urinary bladder smooth muscle from both rats and humans, however there are very few studies investigating the effects of β3-adrenoceptor agonists on nerve-evoked bladder contractions. Therefore in the current study, the role of β3-adrenoceptors in modulating efferent neurotransmission was evaluated. The effects of β3-adrenoceptor agonism on neurogenic contractions induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) were compared with effects on contractions induced by exogenous acetylcholine (Ach) and αβ-methylene adenosine triphosphate (αβ-meATP) in order to determine the site of action.

Relevance of the cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis model for pharmacological studies targeting inflammation and pain of the bladder.

This work aimed at establishing the relevance of using the in vivo model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced bladder inflammation in rats for in vivo pharmacological studies. Specifically, we measured visceral nociception, identified key inflammatory mediators and evaluated the effects of relevant pharmacological treatments. Cystitis was induced in female rats by a single CYP injection.

Fenoterol functionally activates the β₃-adrenoceptor in human urinary bladder, comparison with rat and mouse: implications for drug discovery.

Fenoterol has been reported to be a potent and selective β(2)-adrenoceptor agonist and is currently used clinically to treat asthma. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) of isolated urinary bladder mimics the voiding contraction by stimulating parasympathetic nerves, resulting in neurogenic contractions. To determine if stimulation of β(2)-adrenoceptors can inhibit this response, fenoterol was tested against EFS-induced contractions in human isolated urinary bladder and compared with mouse and rat.

Modulation of non-voiding activity by the muscarinergic antagonist tolterodine and the β(3)-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron in conscious rats with partial outflow obstruction.

Unlabelled: Experimental urethral obstruction in rats alters micturition patterns with non-voiding activity (NVA) during filling cystometry, showing similarity to that observed in human detrusor overactivity. Several drug classes with therapeutic potential in overactive bladder in humans have been tested in this model in rats, rabbits or guinea pigs, but no detailed analysis of drug effects on cystometric patterns has been published. The present study uses a rat model of overactivity with partial bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) in combination with the procedures to analyse NVA to study the effects of the anticholinergic drug tolterodine and the novel β(3)-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron.

G protein-coupled receptors, an unexploited animal toxin targets: Exploration of green mamba venom for novel drug candidates active against adrenoceptors.

At a time when pharmaceutical companies are having trouble finding new low MW drugs and when biologics are becoming more common, animal venoms could constitute an underexploited source of novel drug candidates. We looked for identifying novel animal toxins active against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), the most frequently exploited class of treatment targets, with the aim to develop novel research tools and drug candidates. Screening of green mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) venom against adrenoceptors identified two novel venom peptides.

Halothane-anesthetized rabbit: a new experimental model to test the effects of besipirdine and duloxetine on lower urinary tract function.

Introduction: The effects of besipirdine and its main metabolite, HP-748, as well as duloxetine and tomoxetine in the lower urinary tract (LUT) were studied using in vitro and in vivo techniques.

Materials And Methods: For in vivo studies, besipirdine or duloxetine effects on cystometric parameters and striated sphincter electromyographic (SS-EMG) activity were investigated. On the isolated urethra, norepinephrine (NE) concentration-response curves (CRC) were performed in the presence of besipirdine, duloxetine or tomoxetine.

5-Hydroxytryptamine potentiates neurogenic contractions of rat isolated urinary bladder through both 5-HT(7) and 5-HT(2C) receptors.

Serotonin (5-HT) enhances the neurogenic contractile response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in the rat isolated urinary bladder. The aim of this study was to functionally characterize the receptors involved in this effect by using a range of 5-HT receptor subtype selective agonists and antagonists. 5-HT produced a concentration-dependent potentiation of contractile responses to EFS with a pEC(50) value of 6.

Involvement of beta(3)-adrenoceptors in mouse urinary bladder function: role in detrusor muscle relaxation and micturition reflex.

beta(3)-adrenoceptor activation produces relaxation of human urinary bladder smooth muscle (detrusor). Therefore, beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonism is being investigated as a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of overactive bladder. The aim of the current study was to identify the functional presence of beta(3)-adrenoceptors in mouse isolated urinary bladder using the selective beta(3)-adrenoceptor agonist CL316,243 and antagonists SR59230A and L748,337.