Synergistic effects of cell-penetrating peptide Tat and fusogenic peptide HA2-enhanced cellular internalization and gene transduction of organosilica nanoparticles.

The nonviral gene delivery system is an attractive alternative to cancer therapy. A new kind of gelatin-silica nanoparticles (GSNPs) was developed through a two-step sol-gel procedure. To improve the transfection efficacy, GSNPs modified with different fusion peptides (Tat, HA2, R8, Tat/HA2, and Tat/R8) were prepared for particle size, zeta potential, cellular uptake, hemolysis activity at physiological pH (7.

[Efficacy of intraperitoneally injected epirubicin-loaded poly (d, l)-lactic acid microspheres alone or combined with free epirubicin in treating hepatocellular carcinoma in mice].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of intraperitoneally injected epirubicin (EPI)-loaded poly (d, l)-lactic acid (PLA) microspheres (MS) alone or combined with free epirubicin (FEPI) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice.

Methods: Mice that were transplanted with H22 ascites HCC were randomized into seven groups, which were intraperitoneally injected with blank microspheres, normal saline, three different doses of microspheres (9, 18, and 36 mg/kg EPI) , FEPI (9 mg/kg) , and the combination (microspheres with EPI 4.5 mg/kg + FEPI 4.

ROS and NF-kappaB are involved in upregulation of IL-8 in A549 cells exposed to multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have potential applications in biosensors, tissue engineering, and biomedical devices because of their unique physico-chemical, electronic and mechanical properties. However, there is limited literature data available concerning the biological properties and toxicity of CNTs. This study aimed to assess the toxicity exhibited by multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and to elucidate possible molecular mechanisms underlying the biological effects of MWCNTs in A549 cells.

In vivo toxic studies and biodistribution of near infrared sensitive Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles as potential drug delivery carriers.

Near infrared (NIR) sensitive Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles are intensively being developed for biomedical applications including drug and gene delivery. Although all possible clinical applications will require compatibility of Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles with the biological milieu, their in vivo capabilities and limitations have not yet been explored. Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles and cisplatin-loaded Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the reduction of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl(4)) using sodium sulfide (Na(2)S), and cisplatin was loaded onto NIR sensitive Au-Au(2)S nanoparticles via an MUA (11-mercaptoundecanoic acid) layer.

Effect of curcumin on the induction of glutathione S-transferases and NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase and its possible mechanism of action.

This study is to investigate the effect of curcumin on the induction of glutathione S-transferases (GST) and NADP(H):quinone oxidoreductase (NQO) and explore their possible molecular mechanism. The activity of GST, NQO and cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) content were measured by spectrophotometrical methods. Cellular changes in the distribution of NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) were detected by Western blotting analysis.

Protective effects of Phellinus linteus extract against iron overload-mediated oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes.

Phellinus linteus (PL) mushroom has been reported to possess antioxidant activity. The present study was designed to investigate whether an ethanol extract obtained from PL might ameliorate oxidative stress and enhance antioxidant enzyme activities in primary rat hepatocytes, which were overloaded with iron using ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) complex. FeNTA enables hepatocytes to accumulate substantially redox-active iron and stimulates the production of injurious hydroxyl radicals, which in turn, initiate oxidative stress-mediated cytotoxicity.

[Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in mice with locally administered epirubicin-loaded poly(D, L)-lactic acid microspheres].

Objective: To study the effectiveness of treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in mice with locally administered epirubicin-loaded poly( D, L) - lactic acid microspheres (EPI-PLA-MS ).

Methods: EPI-PLA-MS was prepared with double emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Five groups of mice (n = 8 in each group) were intraperitoneally injected with five different doses of free epirubicin (FEPI), and the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was calculated.

Amelioration by active hexose correlated compound of endocrine disturbances induced by oxidative stress in the rat.

Objective: Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC), an extract derived from fungi of Basidiomycetes family, has been found to be a potent antioxidant. Since the secretion of some hormones can be affected by reactive oxygen species, the objective of this study was to examine how ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA), which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, modulates the hormone secretion and the effects of AHCC.

Methods: AHCC at 3 % in drinking water was given to male rats for one week, and the animals were decapitated at different time intervals after the treatment with FeNTA intraperitoneally.

Coumestrol as well as isoflavones in soybean extract prevent bone resorption in ovariectomized rats.

Objective: Soybeans contain an abundance of phytoestrogens such as genistein and daidzein, and these compounds are thought to protect against bone loss under estrogen deficient conditions. It is possible, however, that phytoestrogens other than isoflavones may suppress bone resorption. The objective of the present study was to determine whether there are any phytoestrogens other than isoflavones in soybeans that can act as antiosteoporotic agents.

Suppressive effects of Active Hexose Correlated Compound on the increased activity of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase induced by oxidative stress.

Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), an extract derived from fungi of Basidiomycetes family has been shown to act as a biological response modifier in various disorders. In our present study, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), which generates hydroxyl radicals in vivo, was given intraperitoneally to rats and AHCC was tested for its ability to suppress oxidative stress and the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in the liver and kidney. Substantial increments in glutathione-related enzymes including glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase activity as well as oxidized glutathione contents were shown in the liver at 12 h after treatment with Fe-NTA (7.