Improved Protective Effect of Umbilical Cord Stem Cell Transplantation on Cisplatin-Induced Kidney Injury in Mice Pretreated with Antithymocyte Globulin.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognised as a promising tool to improve renal recovery in experimental models of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury. However, these preclinical studies were performed on severely immunodeficient animals. Here, we investigated whether human umbilical cord derived MSC treatment could equally ameliorate acute kidney injury induced by cisplatin and prolong survival in mice with a normal immune system and those with a suppressed immune system by polyclonal antithymocyte globulin (ATG).

Cysteine-specific PEGylation of rhG-CSF via selenylsulfide bond.

A new PEGylation reagent enabling selective modification of free thiol groups is described in this article. The reagent was synthesized by attaching linear polyethylene glycol (PEG) N-hydroxysuccinimide to selenocystamine. The reaction was very fast, resulting in over 95% conversion yield.

The Characterization and Potential use of G-CSF Dimers and their Pegylated Conjugates.

G-CSF successfully prevents chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Two second-generation drugs with improved therapeutic properties are already available and the development of new forms is still ongoing. For an efficient receptor dimerization two G-CSF molecules have to bind.

Effect of replacement fluids saline, gelofusine, and blood on biochemical and hematological parameters in rats subjected to repeated blood sampling.

Background: Multiple blood sampling in rat pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicokinetic studies can result in a pathophysiological response and misleading data interpretation. This study investigated whether these drawbacks can be minimized by replacing withdrawn blood with saline, gelofusine, or donor blood.

Material/methods: Rats with cannulated jugular veins were subjected to 12 withdrawals of 250 and 500 microl of blood followed by replacement with the same amount of saline, gelofusine, or donor blood.

A comparative study of four permanent cannulation procedures in rats.

Introduction: Permanent implantation of vascular catheters allows multiple blood sampling from the experimental animal. The aim of the study was firstly to establish four cannulation procedures in rats, which will result in high rate of catheter patency after the post surgical recovery period and secondly to determine a suitability of food and water consumption (FC and WC) and body weight gain (BW) as markers for the estimation of the length of recovery period.

Methods: Cannulation of the jugular vein (n=12), femoral vein (n=15), ileocolic vein (n=13) and the dual cannulation of the jugular vein/duodenum (n=7) were performed in the rat.

A flow cytometric method for determination of the blood neutrophil fraction in rats.

Determination of the proportion of neutrophils in the peripheral blood is important for diagnostic purposes in medicine and for evaluating new drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. To measure the neutrophil concentration in rat blood, a fast and accurate flow cytometric method was developed. Rat neutrophils were quantified by using primary antibodies that recognize the RP1 antigen and secondary antibodies conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate.